3 reasons why Harshit Rana's selection for BGT 2024-25 is the right move

The BCCI announced an 18-member India squad for the upcoming tour of Australia on Friday, October 25, 2024. The squad comprises three uncapped players, one of them being pacer Harshit Rana.

Rana had a breakthrough IPL 2024 with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and announced his arrival on the big stage. He has worked closely with the current Indian coaching staff comprising Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan Tendoeschate who have seen the talent in the young pacer.

Rana will now be a part of the touring Indian squad to Australia and the same is a big achievement for the youngster.

Here are three reasons why Harshit Rana's selection for BGT 2024-25 is the right move.

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#1 Harshit Rana has an impressive first-class record

The 22-year-old pacer has made rapid strides in First-Class cricket. In only nine FC matches, Rana has bagged 36 wickets at an impressive average of 24.75.

In a brief FC career, the pacer has picked up one five-wicket haul in an innings and also has a 10-wicket haul in a game. He can pick up wickets in a heap and dismantle batting sides.

In the recently concluded Duleep Trophy, Rana picked up eight wickets in two matches, including the wickets of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, and Abishek Porel.

Rana has impressed one and all with his bowling skills in FC cricket and deserves his place in the Indian squad for BGT 2024-25.

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#2 Unknown commodity for Australian batters

Rana is yet to make his international debut. He is an exciting young pacer who will look to make an impact Down Under.

Most of the Australian batters would not have faced Rana in the past and hence he could be the surprise package for Team India. Apart from Travis Head and Mithell Marsh who would have faced Rana in the IPL, the likes of Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey are yet to face him and he could pose a threat for the Aussie batters.

It is always exciting for a youngster to make his debut in a country like Australia where the pitches always keep the bowlers interested.

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#3 Can bowl at high speeds and is a handy batter lower down the order

Harshit Rana can consistently clock 140 kmph and can bowl at high speeds. Along with speed, he has control over line and length and is one of the players to watch out for in the future.

An Indian pacer regularly bowling at 140 kmph is a rarity and if Rana can bowl consistently above 140 kmph, he could be a threat for the Aussie batters. With Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep not making much of an impact in the series against New Zealand, it would not be a surprise if Rana is handed over his debut cap Down Under.

Apart from his bowling skills, Rana is a handy batter lower down the order and could be the perfect number eight for India in Australia. He averages a healthy 41 with the bat in 13 FC innings with the bat and has one hundred and one half-century.

Rana could play the role of a bowling all-rounder for India in the five match Test series down under.