IND vs NZ 2024: Harshit Rana to join team for 3rd Test in Mumbai, set to make debut

Harshit Rana, a young all-rounder from Delhi, has been called up to the Indian Test team for the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai. There are good signs that he may make his Test debut on Friday. Rana was freed to play in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign after being initially selected as the travelling reserve for the series opener in Bengaluru, where he immediately made an impression.

Rana claimed five wickets in the first innings of Delhi’s just-completed Ranji Trophy third-round match against Assam at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He then went on to claim a vital half-century and two more wickets in the second innings, contributing to Delhi’s convincing 10-wicket victory. Sarandeep Singh, the current coach of Delhi and a former national selector, so expressed his belief in Rana’s preparedness for red-ball cricket.

“He is prepared to play cricket in Test matches. Sarandeep Singh, a current Delhi coach and former national selector, told The Indian Express that it would be beneficial for him if he participated in the Mumbai Test before travelling to Australia.

I’m happy with how well I performed with the bat and the ball in this match: Harshit Rana

He had not played red-ball cricket for a year, but last month he returned with a bang, taking eight wickets in two games at the Duleep Trophy. Although he was not given the opportunity to make his debut in the 3-0 series victory, he was recently selected in India’s T20I team against Bangladesh.

In addition, Rana is already included in the 18-man roster for the forthcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, where he will play in a speed attack of six players under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah. After his outstanding Ranji Trophy performance, Rana spoke and praised the team’s management.

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After Tuesday’s game, Rana remarked, “I am happy that I did well in this match both with bat and ball. The team management wanted me to play domestic before travelling to Australia.”