Beyond the trolling: How Harshit Rana has evolved in recent months

Harshit Rana in action (BCCI Photo)

Harshit Rana has often faced criticism over his rapid rise in international cricket, having played just 23 matches across all formats so far. The pacer enjoyed a breakthrough IPL 2024 season with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), picking up 19 wickets in 11 innings at an economy of 9.08. KKR went on to win the title, with Gautam Gambhir serving as the team’s mentor.

Soon after, Gambhir took over as India’s head coach. When the 24-year-old Delhi pacer made his international debut in November 2024, that too in a Test match against Australia at Perth, fans were far from impressed. Many questioned the logic behind selecting him for a Test match based largely on his T20 performances. Since then, Rana has played two Tests, 14 ODIs and seven T20Is. However, despite some strong numbers, especially in white-ball cricket, the young pacer continues to face trolling and criticism on social media.

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Fans often label him as Gambhir’s favourite due to their KKR and Delhi connections, claiming that this has helped his swift rise across formats. But Rana’s numbers clearly show how he has evolved match by match. His performances in recent months underline why Gambhir identified him for the senior setup. His Test numbers are not up to the mark, with just four wickets in three innings, including a three-wicket haul on debut at Perth. But his white-ball returns paint a different picture.

ODI format

With the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, India would value a player like him (BCCI Photo)

In 14 ODI innings so far, Rana has gone wicketless only twice. He has taken 26 wickets, including four three-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul, while maintaining an impressive economy of 6.21. Most of his overs have come in the powerplay and death, making these numbers even more notable. More than the wickets, it is the timing of his breakthroughs that stands out.

His lone four-wicket haul came in the Sydney ODI against Australia in October 2025, the only match India won in that series. Australia were 183/3 when Rana broke the 59-run stand between Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey, triggering a collapse as they were bowled out for 236.

In Ranchi against South Africa, he dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock for ducks in the powerplay, then broke a 53-run fifth-wicket stand by removing Dewald Brevis, helping India seal the win.

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Against New Zealand at home, Rana again made an impact. In the series opener, he dismissed both Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls after their 117-run opening stand, pulling the game back in India’s favour. In the second ODI at Rajkot, despite India’s loss, he provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Conway. In the decider, he claimed a three-wicket haul, once again removing Conway early.

Rana has also shown improvement with the bat. In the first ODI against New Zealand, after Virat Kohli’s dismissal, India slipped to 242/5 while chasing 301. Rana scored a vital 29 and shared a 37-run stand with KL Rahul to guide India home. In the series decider, he added 99 runs with Kohli, scoring 52 off 43 balls for his maiden ODI fifty.

As an all-rounder, he has begun to justify his place in the XI, and with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, India would value a player like him.

T20I format

Going into the upcoming T20 World Cup, Harshit Rana remains an important option (BCCI Photo)

In six T20I innings so far, Rana has gone wicketless just once. He has taken eight wickets but at higher economy of 10.40. But in the last two T20Is, he showcased his ability to provide early breakthroughs once again. In the Dharamsala T20I against South Africa in December 2025, he dismissed Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis in the powerplay. In the ongoing home series against New Zealand, he once again struck early in the second T20I, dismissing Devon Conway and breaking a brisk 43-run opening stand with Tim Seifert.

Going into the upcoming T20 World Cup, Rana remains an important option. His place is not a gift. His performances and numbers justify his inclusion and make a strong case for continued backing.