Cricket

India has announced its squad for the upcoming five-Test tour of Australia, which commences on November 22. The squad features three uncapped players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.India's tour begins with a warm-up match against India A in Perth from November 15 to 17. The first Test against Australia will be held at Perth Stadium from November 22 to 26. The team will then travel to Canberra for a tour match against the Prime Minister's XI on November 30 and December 1.The second Test, a day-night fixture, will be played in Adelaide from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starting December 26. The tour concludes with the New Year's Test in Sydney from January 3.India is the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won their previous two tours of Australia by a 2-1 margin. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain.

Harshit Rana Released from Test Set-up, to Join Delhi for Ranji TrophyIndia seamer Harshit Rana has been released from the Test squad and will return to his domestic team, Delhi, for their upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Assam. The decision was made at the request of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), which is without the services of Navdeep Saini, who has been named in the India A squad for the tour of Australia.Rana, 22, has been serving as a traveling reserve for the Indian Test team during their recent series against New Zealand. While he did not feature in any of the matches, his time with the national side has provided him with valuable experience. He will now get some much-needed game time under his belt as Delhi looks to improve their position in the Ranji Trophy standings.Rana's release from the Test set-up is part of a larger trend of players being released to their domestic teams for competitive match practice. Nitish Kumar Reddy, another traveling reserve, has already been released and has played for Andhra in their last fixture. Mayank Yadav is also expected to be released soon and has been told to prepare for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.Delhi will be relying heavily on Rana to lead their attack in their crucial home game against Assam. The team has accumulated just four points from their first two games and needs to improve their performance to qualify for the knockout stages. Rana's experience and skill will be vital in helping Delhi achieve their goals.In addition to Rana's return, Delhi has also made other changes to their squad. Opener Dhruv Kaushik has been ruled out for the next 2-3 games due to a hand injury, while Divij Mehra and Money Grewal have been added to the pace department.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a significant boost ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction with the potential retention of uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana at a cost-effective price of Rs 4 crore.Rana, despite his impressive domestic performances and contributions to KKR's title-winning campaign in 2023, remains uncapped due to a viral infection that prevented him from making his international debut in the third T20I against Bangladesh.This unfortunate circumstance has worked in KKR's favor, as they can now retain Rana at a significantly lower cost than if he had made his international debut. The uncapped player retention rule allows teams to secure the services of uncapped players for a maximum of Rs 4 crore.Rana's impressive domestic record and his contributions to KKR's success make him a valuable asset for the team. In the 2023 IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, playing a crucial role in KKR's run to their third title.KKR's decision to retain Rana at this price could be a strategic move, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while keeping a promising young player on their roster.Rana's international debut may still be on the horizon, as he has been named as one of the traveling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. However, with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna also among the reserves, Rana's chances of making his debut in the Test series appear slim.

India's T20I team is undergoing a transition phase following the retirement of senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the team is expected to continue its dominance in the shortest format.The upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh has brought several newcomers into the spotlight. Mayank Yadav, a fast bowler who impressed with his express deliveries for Lucknow Super Giants, is one of the most talked-about players. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are two other uncapped players who have been included in the squad.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that these players will be closely watched. He suggests that Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh should all be included in the playing XI for the first T20I."Ideally, he [Mayank Yadav] should be playing. For him to play, I see three fast bowlers playing because, in the pecking order, it's Arshdeep, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. I see Mayank Yadav playing, all three fast bowlers. Unleash some pace," Chopra said.India's Predicted XI vs Bangladesh 1st T20I:1. Abhishek Sharma2. Sanju Samson (wk)3. Suryakumar Yadav (C)4. Riyan Parag5. Rinku Singh6. Hardik Pandya7. Washington Sundar8. Ravi Bishnoi9. Arshdeep Singh10. Harshit Rana11. Mayank Yadav

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of young pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian Test team. Rana's impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Duleep Trophy have caught Karthik's attention, who believes the 22-year-old deserves a spot in the national side.Rana emerged as a breakout star in the IPL 2023 season, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace made him a key contributor to KKR's third IPL title triumph.Karthik, who played alongside Rana at KKR, was particularly impressed by the youngster's performance in the Duleep Trophy. Rana took four wickets in the first innings of the first round match against India C and another four-fer in the second round against India A.Despite his impressive form, Rana was not included in India's squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Karthik expressed his surprise at this omission, stating that Rana could have been considered for the first Test."I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? I felt he bowled well and there is something really special about him," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.Karthik believes that Rana's unique skills, including his ability to generate backspin and kiss the pitch, would make him a valuable asset in Australian conditions. India is scheduled to tour Australia later this year for five Tests, and Karthik urged the selectors to pick Rana for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy."Harshit Rana. He has special skills, a good backspin on the ball, kisses off the pitch, and is a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia because he will make a difference there," he added.The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has opted for four seamers in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal. However, Karthik's comments suggest that Rana could be in contention for a place in the Test team in the near future.

Harshit Rana's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy 2024 has reignited his hopes for an India call-up. However, his signature flying kiss celebration, which earned him a ban during IPL 2024, has resurfaced, albeit with a twist.During the first innings against India C, Rana claimed four wickets, including those of Sai Sudharshan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. After dismissing Gaikwad, Rana blew a flying kiss towards his own dressing room, a departure from his previous practice of aiming it at the dismissed batter.Rana's flying kiss celebration has been a subject of controversy. In IPL 2024, he was fined and banned for aiming it at Mayank Agarwal. However, this time, he directed it at his teammates, possibly as a gesture of appreciation or camaraderie.Despite his impressive bowling performance, Rana's celebration has raised questions about the appropriateness of such gestures in professional cricket. Some argue that it is disrespectful to the opposition, while others view it as a harmless expression of joy.Rana's celebration has also drawn comparisons to the iconic flying kiss performed by KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and the team after winning IPL 2024. However, it remains to be seen whether Rana's version will be met with the same level of acceptance.As Rana continues to impress on the field, his flying kiss celebration is likely to remain a topic of discussion. Whether it is seen as a harmless gesture or a breach of etiquette, it has undoubtedly added an element of intrigue to his performances.

Indian pacer Harshit Rana's dream of representing India in international cricket came true when he was named in the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The 22-year-old expressed his gratitude to his father, Pradeep, for his unwavering support throughout his journey.Rana shared a heartwarming picture on Instagram, lifting his father in his arms while wearing an Indian jersey. The caption read, "This BELONGS to you...LOVE YOU DAD." This gesture reflects the deep bond between father and son, and the immense role Pradeep has played in Harshit's success.Rana's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He emerged as one of the tournament's top wicket-takers, claiming 19 scalps at an average of 20.15. His victims included some of the biggest names in cricket, such as Heinrich Klaasen, Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis, and KL Rahul.Rana's all-round abilities extend beyond bowling. He has also demonstrated his batting prowess in first-class cricket, scoring a century and a fifty. His average of 49.00 in nine innings with a strike rate of 89 indicates his potential as a complete cricketer.India's tour of Sri Lanka will mark the first international assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former opener was appointed after Rahul Dravid's contract ended following India's ICC T20 World Cup title win.The ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour includes several stalwarts, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The team will be led by Rohit, who has returned to the ODI setup after a brief break. The squad also features promising youngsters like Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag.India will play three ODIs and three T20Is during their tour of Sri Lanka. The T20I series will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been appointed as the captain in Rohit's absence.Harshit Rana's selection is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His journey from a young cricketer to an international representative is an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.

Harshit Rana, a 22-year-old fast bowler from Delhi, has finally earned his long-awaited call-up to the Indian ODI team. The journey to this moment has been filled with setbacks and disappointments, but Rana has never given up hope.Rana's exceptional performance in the IPL, where he claimed 19 wickets and played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders' victorious campaign, finally earned him recognition on the national stage. Despite facing numerous setbacks and being overlooked during his journey from the junior levels, Rana's determination and hard work have paid off."Delhi mein dil tooth sakta hai par humne kabhi hausla nahi haraa (Delhi can break your heart but I never lost hope)," Rana said in an emotional statement.Rana credits his father, personal coach Amit Bhandari, and former India and Delhi pacer Gautam Gambhir for his success. Gambhir, in particular, has had a profound impact on Rana's mindset."If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya's presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset. At the elite level, you require skills but more than skills you require the heart to handle the pressure," Rana said.Rana's performances in white ball cricket for Delhi have been exceptional. He has claimed 22 wickets in 14 games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and 28 wickets in 25 T20 matches.Rana's ability to execute his arsenal of deliveries with precision under pressure has been key to his success. He consistently hits the blockhole, fires wide yorkers, and deceives batsmen with cleverly disguised slow bouncers."If you ask about the pressure part it is Gautam Gambhir's advice. He would say, 'what's the worst thing that will happen? You will get hit and we can lose the match. But if you don't face your fears, how will you overcome them'?" Rana said.Bhandari, Rana's personal coach, believes that the bowler possesses the necessary skills and abilities to excel in international competitions."In Delhi, you always hear about corruption, groupism, nepotism. Now look at the bonafide Delhi greats. Most have within two years of Delhi debut played for India. Viru (Sehwag), Gauti (Gambhir), Ishant (Sharma), Rishabh (Pant) all had talent and didn't hover around domestic cricket for long. If you are a talented Delhi cricketer, the system can't stop you. And if you aren't, then even in 15 years, you won't make it," Bhandari said.Rana's call-up to the Indian ODI team is a testament to his hard work, determination, and talent. He is now ready to take the next step in his career and represent his country at the highest level.

Kolkata Knight Riders' triumph in the IPL 2024 season has been attributed to the astute guidance of mentor Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, a former KKR captain who led the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the franchise as a mentor ahead of the 2024 season. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit proved to be a winning formula.KKR fast bowler Harshit Rana recently defended Gambhir's role in the team's success, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the franchise. Rana highlighted that Gambhir had sacrificed his political career to focus solely on KKR's victory."Gambhir Bhaiya left his political career and everything behind for KKR. He left politics and came back to KKR, and he worked day and night hard just to make KKR win the trophy. He is so involved in KKR. I am genuinely telling you that he did his best to win this trophy. He left everything just to win the KKR trophy. So, sir, why shouldn't he get this honour?" Rana said in an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Gambhir's influence extends beyond the KKR dressing room. He is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Dravid's tenure will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, and media reports suggest that Gambhir has agreed to take over the role after the BCCI accommodated his requests."We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup," a BCCI source told Dainik Bhaskar.KKR's success in IPL 2024 was built on a strong foundation in the league stage, where they topped the standings. They capped off their impressive campaign with a victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.