I told Harshit, ‘I’ll declare you a player the day you touch 150 kmph’: Harshit Rana’s father

On November 22, young Harshit Rana made his debut for his country in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25) first Test match against Australia in Perth. Following his incredible performance in the most recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the 22-year-old has been involved in all three game types. But he had to wait to get his first cap. Playing as Jasprit Bumrah‘s backup, Rana demonstrated his worth in his debut match by taking four wickets in two innings.

Pradeep Rana, his father, has different plans for Harshit, though. He challenged the Delhi native to bowl consistently at 150 kmph, setting a high bar. Harshit will continue to play for India if he bowls at 150 kmph, but even club teams might be reluctant to sign him if his speed decreases to 125 kmph, Pradeep explained.

He has been challenged to bowl 150 kph by me. I informed him that the day he reached 150 kph, I would consider him a player. Even a local club won’t pick you if you bowl 125 kph, but if you bowl 150 kph, nobody would stop you from playing for India,” Pradeep told Indian Express.

Harshit Rana persistently persevered: Mother Gita Rana

Also, Harshit Rana’s mother, Gita Rana, disclosed that Pradeep was a strict taskmaster, making it hard for the youngster to handle at first. The cricket player used to cry at night, Gita disclosed, and his father would encourage him by telling him that being a sportsperson is not an easy task.

He was using my son to fulfil his dream. He was a master of tasks. Harshit would weep every night. I repeatedly tried to stop him, because it was wrong to treat a child in that manner. He once remarked, “Being a sportsperson is not easy.” It was he who expressed his desire to play cricket to me. Blood and sweat are involved, and he is free to stop if he so chooses. Harshit, however, never gave up,” his mother remarked.