Every bowler cherishes their first international wicket, but for Harshit Rana, taking Travis Head’s scalp was an unforgettable moment. It wasn’t just any wicket; it was a delivery for the ages, marking a truly special start to his Test career.
During his second Test as stand-in captain in Perth last November, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass of unplayable bowling on day one at Optus Stadium. India, opting to bat first and missing Rohit Sharma, had been swiftly dismissed for just 150 by a formidable Australian attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. The stage was set for Bumrah to respond.
Remarkably, despite being bowled out early on day one of the five-match series, India still had a crucial session to exploit the most favorable bowling conditions. Bumrah seized the opportunity, quickly dismissing debutant Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, and Steve Smith (leg before first ball), leaving Australia reeling at 19 for three.
Then came Travis Head to the crease, joining Marnus Labuschagne. This left-handed South Australian had consistently troubled India in the past, notably in the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup finals the previous year. Head embodies the adage ‘offence is the best defence,’ always looking to attack. He’s known for creating space to smash balls through point or effortlessly lofting them over the leg-side infield, regardless of the match situation. A solid hour from Head could have quickly propelled Australia past India’s modest total.
With Head settling in, it was time for 22-year-old debutant Harshit Rana to make his mark with the ball. Despite limited First-Class experience (fewer than ten matches), Harshit was selected based on his immense potential and the team’s faith in his abilities. While he had impressed with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, facing Australia in Australia on debut was an entirely different and incredibly demanding challenge.
At 19 for three after just seven overs, most teams would prioritize survival. However, Australia, and especially Travis Head, are not ‘most teams.’ As Harshit was introduced after Mohammed Siraj’s three-over spell, Head saw an opportunity: a chance to target the new bowler, assert his dominance, exploit any debut nerves, and ultimately, show who was in control.
Harshit’s instructions were clear: maintain pressure with wicket-taking balls and intensify it with consistent accuracy. Head, however, was intent on disrupting the young bowler’s rhythm. In Harshit’s very first over, the left-hander pounced on two short deliveries, smashing the first to square third-man for a boundary and audaciously upper-cutting the second in the same direction for another.
In just 12 balls, Head had raced to 11 runs. For him, the team’s precarious position of 19 for three seemed irrelevant.
Then, the dream moment arrived. With his seventh ball in Test cricket, Harshit, bowling from around the stumps and slightly wide of the crease, delivered a masterpiece. The ball slanted in, its length deceptive, leaving Head unable to commit confidently forward or back. Trapped in his crease, Head offered a tentative prod, playing at the initial line. But the ball, possibly aided by a wobble seam, mischievously darted away from him after pitching, bypassing his outside edge to crash into the top of off stump. It was the perfect delivery, precisely what coaches preach. The bails flew, Head departed, and Harshit exploded in a joyous, well-deserved celebration.
Those initial seven deliveries offered a glimpse into Harshit’s character: his fierce resolve to not be intimidated by Head, his resilience in bouncing back after a couple of boundaries, and his knack for delivering magical, wicket-taking balls that could outsmart even the best batsmen. His performance felt like a shrewd gamble, a sentiment reinforced when he later dismissed Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon (numbers 9 and 10), concluding his debut Test innings with an impressive three for 48.
While Harshit’s economy rate of 3.13 per over was higher than Bumrah’s 1.66 in that 51.2-over innings (a common side effect of aggressively hunting wickets), his one for 69 from 13.4 overs in the second innings largely went unnoticed. However, his figures of none for 86 from 16 overs in the subsequent pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval a fortnight later were harder to ignore. Consequently, Harshit hasn’t featured in any of India’s ten Tests since.
Strong Backing Amidst Scrutiny
Harshit has found himself at the center of a debate, with his continued selection drawing questions from various corners. Head coach Gautam Gambhir fiercely defended the young Delhi cricketer, urging critics to refrain from personal attacks against the ’23-year-old boy’ (a humorous side note: one wonders how Gambhir would refer to 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi!). This strong show of support from Gambhir places a clear responsibility on Harshit: he must now justify that trust and confidence through his performance on the field.
At 23, and playing professional cricket in today’s demanding landscape, Harshit’s fitness levels are notably lacking. His movements on the field are often described as ponderous and slow. This is a critical area for improvement, especially in an age where fielding is no longer a secondary skill but as vital as batting and bowling. Fitness and fielding are proactive aspects that can be mastered with dedication, relentless effort, and a commitment to both personal excellence and team success. While frequent travel and continuous matchplay can be challenging, for a player so young and new to the cutthroat world of international cricket, these cannot serve as excuses.
Harshit must now focus on improving his agility and providing his fellow bowlers with the same fielding support he’d expect while on the attack. If he aims for a sustained presence in India’s white-ball teams – and current signs suggest he will be – then performing at his peak is non-negotiable. His proven ability as a quick learner offers hope that these improvements will extend to his fielding, particularly crucial if he’s to contend for T20 spots over established players like Arshdeep Singh, India’s sole bowler with 100 international T20 wickets.
Unexpected Batting Prowess
A key factor in Harshit’s preference over Arshdeep is his impressive batting ability. His First-Class average of 31.18 from 14 matches, including a century (122 not out) and two half-centuries, highlights his substantial batting talent. Furthermore, 28 sixes from 19 innings, contributing 499 runs at a strike-rate of 82.34, demonstrate his ferocious ball-striking capabilities. However, his opportunities to bat for the national team have been limited due to India’s strong top-order since his debut a year ago.
Yet, when given a chance to bat in the second T20I in Melbourne, Harshit rose to the occasion. With India struggling at 49 for five, he joined forces with Abhishek Sharma, contributing 35 runs off 33 balls in a crucial 56-run partnership. This knock offered a clear indication of his batting potential. While there’s a tendency in India to label players, let’s appreciate Harshit for his current strengths: an attacking, aggressive, and intelligent fast bowler who can occasionally deliver vital lower-order runs, even if his bowling can sometimes be a bit expensive. For now, he is primarily a bowler with an extra skill.
With limited Test cricket on India’s immediate schedule – two home matches against South Africa this month, followed by a two-Test series in Sri Lanka in August – Harshit’s focus is firmly on white-ball formats, particularly the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February-March. While Hardik Pandya’s return might limit his regular playing XI opportunities, this period offers a golden chance for Harshit to refine his all-round game: improving his fielding, sharpening his bowling, and enhancing his batting. If he seizes this opportunity, the future looks incredibly bright for Harshit Rana.