Cricket

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.

Yash Dayal's remarkable journey from IPL humiliation to India call-up is a testament to his resilience and determination. The left-arm pacer found himself in the spotlight during the IPL 2023 season, but not for the reasons he would have hoped. In a match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Dayal faced the wrath of Rinku Singh, who unleashed a barrage of boundaries against the young bowler.Rinku, in a display of sheer power and timing, smashed Dayal for five consecutive sixes, leaving him and his teammates stunned. The incident left a deep impact on Dayal, with reports indicating that his mother became unwell and refused to eat. However, the UP seamer did not let the setback define him. He emerged as a force to reckon with and has had a remarkable redemption with his maiden India call-up.The 26-year-old pacer has been included in the 16-man squad for the opening match of the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19. This maiden call-up serves as a testament to his resilience and skill, highlighting his ability to overcome adversity and achieve his goals.Since his first-class debut in 2018, Dayal has played a total of 24 matches, claiming 76 wickets at an average of 28.89. In the 2024 Duleep Trophy opener, representing India B against India A, he took 4 wickets across both innings. Dayal also made a strong impact in the IPL 2024 season, where he played for RCB and picked up 15 wickets in 14 matches.India's extended Test season kicks off with the first of two matches against Bangladesh in Chennai. The second Test is scheduled to take place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1. India and Bangladesh have faced off in 13 Test matches so far, with India winning 11 and the remaining two ending in draws.Bangladesh come into the series fresh from a historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan on their home soil, while this will mark India's first Test series since their 4-1 triumph over England earlier this year in January-March.

Tushar Deshpande, the Mumbai pacer, has set his sights on earning an India call-up after a string of impressive performances across formats. The 27-year-old has been a key strike bowler for Mumbai since making his Ranji Trophy debut in 2016-17, and his recent performances have caught the attention of national selectors.Deshpande's breakthrough season came in 2023, when he finished as the Chennai Super Kings' highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His ability to consistently clock speeds of 140-plus and take crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for both Mumbai and the Super Kings.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Deshpande has once again been in top form. He has taken three wickets in the first innings and scored a crucial 26 in the second innings, helping Mumbai to a strong position."I think I am ready for an India call-up," Deshpande said ahead of the Ranji final. "If you look at the overall season, be it one-dayers (Vijay Hazare Trophy) or Ranji, I have been delivering with crucial wickets – and useful runs too."Deshpande's performances have not gone unnoticed by Mumbai's head coach Amol Muzumdar. "Tushar has been a consistent performer for us," Muzumdar said. "He has the pace, the accuracy, and the ability to take wickets. I believe he has the potential to play for India."Deshpande is now hoping that a strong performance in the Ranji final and the upcoming IPL will help him realize his dream of playing for India. "These three months, especially starting with the Ranji quarterfinal, are extremely important for me," Deshpande said. "I want to play these next three phases at full intensity."