Harshit Rana halted New Zealand’s serene progress with the bat in the first ODI by ending the 117-run opening partnership between Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway. His spell in the middle overs pretty much helped India wrestle back control but his services were needed later in the day as well, this time with the bat. Rana scored 29 in 23 balls, further boosting his credentials as being slightly more than a tailender who can hold a bat.
Rana has now confirmed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the team management are looking to develop him as a fast bowling all-rounder. “The team management wants to groom me as an all-rounder and it is my task to keep working on it,” Rana told reporters after India’s four-wicket win in the 1st ODI. “I am working on it in the nets as well, and it was a matter of confidence which KL (Rahul) bhai helped me with when I went in (to bat). I kept my focus on it and made the runs,” he added.
Rana’s 37-run partnership with Rahul for the sixth wicket is what helped India out of a slightly shaky situation when they lost two quick wickets after Virat Kohli anchored a stellar show from the top three. “My team wants me to bat at No 8 as an all-rounder and whatever time I can give to it in the nets, I focus on that. I believe I can score 30-40 runs for the team lower down the order whenever needed and that’s what the team management believes that I can do as well,” Rana added.
Rahul recalled while speaking to JioHotstar why the chase proved comedic batting alongside the maverick all-rounder. “Batting with Harshit Rana in the final overs was fun. I had to calm him down. He kept asking me to remind him not to try and hit a six every ball, because that was his mindset. I had to settle him. He is new to ODIs and hasn’t played many games,” Rahul said on JioHotstar.
