Harshit Rana continues to feature in India’s XI — explore whether his performances and potential truly warrant that position.
Harshit Rana’s inclusion in India’s playing XI has become one of the most debated topics in recent months. The young Kolkata Knight Riders pacer, known for his aggression and raw pace in the IPL, has not quite replicated that success in international cricket.
His performances in the ODI format especially have raised questions about whether he truly justifies his selection in India’s lineup, a critique that has only intensified because of rumours surrounding coach Gautam Gambhir’s influence.
Harshit Rana’s ODI record and current form
In One-Day Internationals, Harshit Rana has so far played six matches, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.40 and an economy rate of 5.8 runs per over.
On paper, those numbers might suggest a decent start for a bowler who is new to international cricket. However, the granular look paints a different picture. Most of his wickets came against lesser-ranked teams during bilateral series, and his recent outing against Australia, have seen him struggle with consistency and lengths. In the Perth ODI, for instance, he went wicketless, conceding 27 runs in four overs.
His batting, a supposed secondary skill that was expected to add depth to India’s lower order, has been almost negligible. In six ODIs, Rana has scored just 14 runs at an average of 7.00, with no meaningful contribution in crunch moments. For a player often touted as someone who could play the No 8 role, a bowler capable of chipping in with quick runs, these figures fail to justify the team’s expectations.
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Why Harshit was selected
The idea behind Harshit Rana’s inclusion in India’s ODI setup was twofold — first, to inject youthful pace and aggression into the bowling attack; and second, to offer depth as a capable lower-order batter, providing balance on overseas tours where four pacers are the norm.
With Hardik Pandya sidelined due to injuries, India’s ODI squad needed a seam-bowling all-rounder who could bowl 7–10 overs and contribute at No. 8 without upsetting the team’s balance. However, with Nitish Reddy stepping in as Hardik’s replacement for the Australia series, Harshit’s role has leaned more toward that of a frontline bowler with the added ability for some late-order hitting.
So far, though, Harshit hasn’t fully justified that spot. While he has shown flashes of promise in short bursts, his inability to maintain consistency — especially in the death overs — remains a concern. Additionally, his lack of composure with the bat limits the flexibility India seek from a true multi-utility player in that position.
The question of effectiveness
Harshit Rana’s current limitations are evident when compared to India’s recent ODI bowling performances. He has often been the least economical among the pack, and when under pressure, his lengths tend to drift.
The role he was selected for, bowling ten tight overs and offering valuable runs, demands both experience and versatility. At present, Harshit offers neither as his ODI record fails to showcase sustained match-winning spells or clutch performances that affirm his value as a genuine No 8 option. India’s tactical balance has suffered because of this mismatch.
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Gambhir’s backing and controversy
Adding to the complexity of this debate are the rumours of Gautam Gambhir’s favouritism towards Harshit Rana. Ever since Gambhir took charge as India’s head coach, multiple cricket experts and sections of fans have voiced concerns that Rana’s rapid promotion through all three formats feels “fast-tracked”.
Harshit was a known face in Gambhir’s Kolkata Knight Riders setup, where he impressed with 40 wickets in 34 IPL games. But several pundits, including former players like Kris Srikkanth and Ashwin, have publicly questioned his elevation to the national team, especially when more seasoned domestic performers such as Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan are waiting in the wings.
Alternative options for India
If team India is genuinely looking for a pace-bowling all-rounder, there are better options than Harshit Rana based on current domestic form and adaptability. One name that stands out is Ramandeep Singh from Punjab. Ramandeep, another former KKR player, has quietly built a reputation as a utility all-rounder capable of batting aggressively and bowling useful medium pace. In List-A cricket, he has accumulated 234 runs in 11 ODIs at a strike rate above 114, along with three wickets, showcasing his ability to contribute in both departments.
Apart from Ramandeep, others such as Vijaykumar Vyshak, or even Shardul Thakur, who has experience and hitting ability, can effectively fill the same role India expects Rana to perform. Shardul, in particular, offers the knack of picking crucial wickets and scoring vital 20-30 run cameos, attributes that make him far more suitable for that No 8 slot in the near future.
Harshit Rana’s selection was born out of India’s pressing need for a seam-bowling all-rounder, not necessarily out of consistent domestic dominance. While a few glimpses of promise make him worth watching, his overall ODI output, 10 wickets in six games, limited batting impact, and lack of control under pressure, does not yet justify him being a permanent fixture in India’s ODI XI.
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