Harshit Rana is all set to join India squad for the third and final Test against New Zealand. The final match of the series is set to be played from November 1 in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium and Rana will join the squad on Wednesday (Oct 30).
The development was reported by news agency PTI on Tuesday (Oct 29) by citing a Board on Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source. “Harshit will join the team tomorrow,” said a BCCI source as reported by the PTI.
Rana is currently with Delhi Ranji Trophy (domestic first-class tournament) team where he took a five-wicket haul and scored a fifty in the third match of the season as well.
Rana has been on the rise ever since his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 for Kolkata Knight Riders where he played under the mentorship of now India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The BCCI has also selected Rana as one of the five pace bowlers for the upcoming five-Test tour of Australia which starts next month in Perth.
Rana’s coach and former India selector Sarandeep Singh also thinks that the pacer is ready for the Test cricket grind.
“He is ready to play Test cricket. He is a positive guy, he knows what he is doing. He is ready for the highest level,” Sarandeep, a former BCCI selector, told PTI.
“He bowled his heart out for Delhi, he is always looking for wickets and is handy all rounder. He is like a horse, can bowl long spells. I hope he does really well in Australia,” he added.
With Rana linking up with the team, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to sit out the game in Mumbai given the upcoming Australia tour and India already 0-2 down in the three-match series.
