Cricket

Delhi's young speedster Harshit Rana has emerged as a potential contender for the third pacer's slot in India's playing XI for the opening Test against Australia in Perth. With just 10 first-class matches under his belt, Rana has impressed with his consistent pace over 140 kph and his ability to extract good bounce.During India's nets at the WACA ground in Perth, Rana troubled the batters with his raw pace on several occasions. India's bowling coach Morne Morkel spent considerable time with the Karnataka man, who was also impressive during the recent A series against Australia at Mackay and Melbourne.Rana's challenge for the third pacer's role comes at the expense of senior teammate Prasidh Krishna, who has experience of playing two Tests and can also hit the top of off-stump. However, Rana's consistent pace and bounce could give him an edge in the Perth conditions.Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's international comeback might take place in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it could happen during the second half of the series. The BCCI medical team and national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to check if his body is holding up after multiple games, even though it's a white-ball format tournament.Shami, who appeared in a competitive match after a year, was impressive in his outing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at Indore, returning with a seven-wicket match haul in his side's first victory of the season. However, the selection committee doesn't want to take chances by fast-tracking Shami after just one Ranji Trophy match, having completed an extensive rehabilitation program.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has shed light on the selection of uncapped players Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir praised Rana's bowling prowess, stating that he has bowled extensively and is ready to face the Aussies with fresh legs. He also highlighted Reddy's potential, expressing confidence that he can contribute significantly if given the opportunity.Gambhir hinted at a shift in the team's composition, suggesting that certain players may not be part of the future plans. However, he did not explicitly mention Shardul Thakur, who was surprisingly omitted from the squad."It's about moving forward, and we believe this is the best set of players to represent the country," Gambhir said.Rana and Reddy have earned their selections based on impressive performances in the domestic circuit. Their inclusion comes after India's disappointing home series loss to New Zealand, which has made their path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final more challenging.To qualify for the WTC final, India must win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0. The series opener will be played in Perth, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide, a match at The Gabba in Brisbane, the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the final Test in Sydney.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Jasprit Bumrah (vc)* Ravichandran Ashwin* Mohammad Shami* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Shubman Gill* Ravindra Jadeja* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Dhruv Jurel (wk)* Sarfaraz Khan* Virat Kohli* Prasidh Krishna* Rishabh Pant (wk)* KL Rahul* Harshit Rana* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Mohammed Siraj* Washington SundarAustralia's squad for the first Test:* Pat Cummins (c)* Scott Boland* Alex Carey* Josh Hazlewood* Travis Head* Josh Inglis* Usman Khawaja* Marnus Labuschagne* Nathan Lyon* Mitch Marsh* Nathan McSweeney* Steve Smith* Mitchell Starc

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that uncapped seamer Harshit Rana will not participate in the upcoming third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai. Despite reports suggesting Rana's inclusion in the squad, Gambhir clarified that the rumors are unfounded.Rana, who has been a part of India's white-ball teams since his impressive performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has been brought to Mumbai to work with bowling coach Morne Morkel in preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy."Harshit Rana is not part of the squad. He has just come here to prepare for the Australia tour," Gambhir stated at the pre-match press conference. "We have a Test match here, and we want to use this time to prepare Rana for the BGT."Gambhir emphasized that Rana's presence in Mumbai is solely for training purposes and has no bearing on the Test squad. The team management aims to utilize this opportunity to enhance Rana's skills ahead of the crucial series against Australia.The third Test between India and New Zealand will commence on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the same venue where New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel achieved the remarkable feat of claiming 10 wickets in an innings.

Harshit Rana's stellar performance in Delhi's Ranji Trophy victory against Assam has solidified his readiness for the upcoming five-Test tour of Australia. The 22-year-old pacer showcased his all-around abilities, claiming five wickets in the first innings, scoring a crucial half-century at No. 8, and delivering critical breakthroughs in the second essay to secure a 10-wicket win for Delhi.Rana's impressive display comes just days after he was named in India's 18-member squad for the tour of Australia. He is also set to join the India squad for the third Test against New Zealand, which begins in Mumbai on Friday. Rana had previously been with the India contingent as a traveling reserve for the first Test in Bengaluru before being released to gain match experience in Delhi's game.Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh, a former India selector, expressed his confidence in Rana's ability to deliver for the national team. "Rana showed he is totally ready to play Test matches," Singh said. "If India wants him to play (in Mumbai), I would love to see that. If he ends up playing a Test before going to Australia, then it is better for Harshit and India too."Singh's assessment is supported by Rana's consistent performances in domestic cricket. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he has taken 25 wickets in six matches, including two five-wicket hauls. His batting has also been impressive, with an average of 35.25 and a highest score of 85.Rana's versatility and ability to contribute in multiple ways make him a valuable asset to any team. His pace and accuracy with the ball, combined with his solid technique and temperament with the bat, suggest that he has the potential to succeed at the highest level.As India prepares for the challenging tour of Australia, Rana's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His performances in the Ranji Trophy have demonstrated that he is ready to take on the world's best batsmen and make a significant contribution to India's success.

Harshit Rana, the promising all-rounder from Delhi, has been recalled to the Indian Test squad for the third Test against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on November 1 in Mumbai. Rana's inclusion comes after his impressive performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and Assam.Rana, who was part of the Indian squad for the first two Tests but was released to play the Ranji Trophy, has been a consistent performer for Delhi. In the match against Assam, he claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by a crucial half-century and two more wickets in the second innings. His all-round contribution played a pivotal role in Delhi's comprehensive ten-wicket victory.The 22-year-old Rana has been on the radar of the Indian selectors for some time now. Despite his limited First Class experience, the selectors are impressed by his all-round abilities and believe he could be a valuable asset in Australian conditions. Rana's inclusion in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia next month is a testament to the selectors' confidence in his potential.Rana's recall to the Test squad is a significant development for the young all-rounder. It provides him with an opportunity to gain valuable experience at the highest level and potentially make his Test debut. With New Zealand having already clinched the series 2-0, the third Test could serve as a platform for Rana to showcase his skills and stake a claim for a place in the team for the upcoming series against Australia.The Indian squad for the third Test against New Zealand includes: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.

Delhi's Harshit Rana Shines with Bat and Ball, Earns Maiden India Call-UpDelhi all-rounder Harshit Rana celebrated his maiden India call-up for the upcoming tour of Australia with an impressive performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Assam.Rana, who was named in India's 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his versatility with a five-wicket haul followed by a half-century for Delhi.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Delhi restricted Assam to 330, thanks in large part to Rana's bowling brilliance. The 22-year-old spinner claimed 5 for 80 in 19.3 overs, including the crucial wicket of wicketkeeper-batsman Sumit Ghadigaonkar, who scored a valiant 162.In reply, Delhi found themselves in a spot of bother at 182 for 6 on day three. However, Rana joined forces with Pranav Rajuvanshi to revive the innings. Rana played a pivotal role in Delhi's recovery, scoring a fluent half-century off just 66 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.At the time of writing, Rana and Rajuvanshi had added 87 runs for the seventh wicket, taking Delhi to 269 for 6. Rana's performance has further cemented his place in the Indian squad for the tour of Australia, where he will be eager to make his Test debut.Rana's selection is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He has been a key member of the Delhi team for several seasons, contributing with both bat and ball. His all-round abilities make him a valuable asset to any team.Rana's dream of playing Test cricket against England at Lord's may have to wait, but he is thrilled to have been selected for the tour of Australia. He believes that his competitive spirit and aggressive style of play will suit the Australian conditions.

Pace bowler Harshit Rana, who has been serving as a traveling reserve with the Indian Test team during their ongoing series against New Zealand, is set to be released to play for Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Assam. The decision comes after Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) requested Rana's services due to the unavailability of Navdeep Saini, who has been named in India A's squad touring Australia.Rana, who has not featured in the second Test against New Zealand, will be allowed to represent Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, as per reports from Times of India. The match between Delhi and Assam is scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 26, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Rana's release from the Indian setup follows a similar move for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was allowed to play for Andhra against Gujarat. Rana has played nine first-class matches to date, claiming 36 wickets and even scoring a century with the bat.Rana's inclusion in the Indian setup has been a regular occurrence since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, having previously mentored him at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2024. However, Rana is yet to make his debut in any format for India.With Rana's release confirming that he will not make his India debut before October 31, it provides Kolkata Knight Riders with the opportunity to retain him as an uncapped player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Uncapped players can be retained for as low as Rs 4 crore.Rana played a pivotal role in KKR's third IPL title triumph in 2024, claiming 19 wickets and finishing among the top five wicket-takers.

Harshit Rana, the 22-year-old pacer, made a strong return to competitive cricket on Saturday, taking four wickets in Delhi's Ranji Trophy opener against Assam. Rana, who had not played a competitive game for over a month, showed no signs of rust as he struck twice in his opening spell and picked up two more wickets throughout the day.Assam began their innings cautiously, but Rana's early burst put them on the back foot. He dismissed Subham Mandal, Abhishek Thakuri, and Rishav Das in quick succession, leaving Assam reeling at 59 for four. However, wicketkeeper-batsman Sumit Ghadigaonkar played a defiant knock, scoring an unbeaten 120 to help Assam recover.Ghadigaonkar and Sibsankar Roy put on a 164-run partnership for the fifth wicket, frustrating the Delhi bowlers. Ghadigaonkar reached his century with a boundary off Rana, who had earlier dismissed him twice in the innings.Despite Rana's efforts, Assam managed to reach 264 for six at stumps, thanks largely to Ghadigaonkar's heroics. The 32-year-old Mumbai-born batsman showed his class with a well-paced innings that included six fours and two sixes.Rana's performance was a timely reminder of his quality ahead of India's upcoming Test series against Australia. The pacer was named in India's Test squad on Friday night and will be looking to make an impact in the five-match series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. The squad features several notable inclusions and exclusions.Inclusions:* Abhimanyu Easwaran: The Bengal opener has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, becoming the third-choice opener behind Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.* Harshit Rana: The seamer has enjoyed an impressive year, starring in an IPL title and earning a Test call-up after being selected in the white-ball squads.* Nitish Rana: The Andhra Pradesh all-rounder has impressed in the T20 league and made his T20I debut against Bangladesh this month.Exclusions:* Mohammed Shami: The match-changing seamer has been ruled out due to a knee swelling, despite working tirelessly to recover from ankle surgery.* Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm spinner has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence to address his chronic left groin issue.Other Notable Selections:* Washington Sundar: The spin-bowling all-rounder has been included after taking seven wickets in the first innings against New Zealand in the ongoing second Test in Pune.* Prasidh Krishna: The Karnataka seamer returns to the Test squad after debuting in South Africa and impressing in India A's Duleep Trophy title win.Reserves:* Mukesh Kumar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel AhmedThe Indian squad will travel with a well-stocked pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Akash Deep has maintained his spot after impressive performances against England and Bangladesh.