BGT: Young fast bowler Harshit Rana of India had a challenging game in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After showing promise in Perth, where he took 4 wickets for 117 runs, Rana’s form dipped significantly in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. Australia’s top-order, including Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, took full advantage of his lack of control, with Rana struggling to find his line and length.
The young pacer was too expensive, giving away 86 runs in 16 overs at an economy rate of 5.37. It was more painful that the player did not take even a single wicket to come back to the contest and left a big lacuna in India’s bowling lineup. Contrasting what had happened in Perth with promise, his lack of discipline in Adelaide raised questions of his preparedness for this sort of high-pressure test match.
BGT Call for Axing Harshit Rana from India Playing XI
After a below-par show in Adelaide, voices grew strong to send Harshit Rana out of India to play XI for the Brisbane Test. There were also voices in his criticism stating that with a lack of control under pressure and inconsistency in his display, he is not quite a player suited for Indians during this important series.
Specifically, Rana was struck for as many as 17 runs in an over during the Adelaide Test, which was a result of his failure to resist the Australian batsmen. With the competition in the Indian bowling lineup, there is a strong demand for a change, and other options in the squad are said to be more reliable.
Read More
Rohit Sharma Stands by Rana but Doubts Over Next Test Selection for BGT
Indian captain Rohit Sharma bailed out Rana in the post-match press conference. He appreciated the conditions and also expressed his views on the fact that young bowlers were under a lot of pressure to deliver in such big matches. However, Rohit avoided talking about whether Rana would be dropped or not from the playing XI for the Brisbane Test and therefore, his selection was in doubt for the next match.
Why Harshit Rana Should Not Be Dropped from BGT
Despite the calls for him to be excluded, there are many reasons why Harshit Rana should not be benched. Here are the three key factors why this player should not be binned:
1. Physical Attributes and Bowling Potential: A tall frame and good body structure give him a lot of bounce and would extract more from the wicket. This is what any fast bowler craves for, especially at Brisbane, where pace and bounce make all the difference. Dropping him will mean losing that extra height and firepower.
2. Youth and Learning Curve: Being very young, Rana has had his first experience at test cricket. He should prove beneficial to the team after time under his belt while having gone through challenging experiences from such a Test tour. Some poor performances alone can’t undermine the strength the boy brings to his game. His display of capabilities during the Perth Test testified to that, as such consistent bowling will surely occur eventually.
3. Versatility in Future Tours Dropping Rana at this point might negatively affect his growth because of the various countries that are to be toured and challenges expected. India would, then, need an adaptable type of bowler in order to tackle diverse conditions from different playing venues. Staying him in the game XI would provide ample space for him to continue development and become a much better bowler for the series against other teams in the long run.
Harshit Rana’s performance in Adelaide was far from ideal, but it would be too early to drop him from the playing XI for the Brisbane Test. His height, body structure, and potential as a fast bowler make him an asset for the Indian team. If he gets the right guidance and more experience, he could prove to be a key player for India in the long run. Therefore, he should be supported through this tough period to give him the chance to come back stronger.
Rana did nothing wrong in the first Test and performed well there. Whenever the team needed important breakthroughs, he gave them. I think if a player has not done anything wrong, he should not be dropped. Rohit Sharma said after the Adelaide Test
Read More
Why should Rana be played in Brisbane?
Harshit Rana has experience of only two Test matches. 2024 was like a golden year for him. After performing brilliantly for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, he got a place in the Indian team. KKR retained him in the IPL auction. Coach Gautam Gambhir gave him a chance on the Australia tour. He may not be able to connect with the pink ball.
Rana took 4 wickets with the pink ball during India’s practice game against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, but all the wickets came off short balls, where batsmen tried to hook and pull.
A perfect fit for the Gabba pitch
Harshit Rana’s tall stature and strong, muscular body are a natural fit on the Brisbane track. The pitch at the iconic Gabba will have a lot of bounce. Harshit can perform better in the match due to his ability to get bounce. India will not make the mistake of lowering Harshit’s confidence by benching him ahead of the remaining three matches of the tour.
ALSO READ: SA vs PAK: Miller Destroys PAK Bowlers, Scoring 82 Off 40
