Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on young fast bowler Harshit Rana, calling him a highly skilled pacer. The 22-year-old, who made a significant impact for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2024 IPL, has caught Karthik’s eye with his exceptional bowling abilities. Karthik believes that Harshit should be included in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
During a show, Karthik highlighted Harshit’s ability to generate good backspin and movement off the pitch. According to Karthik, Harshit’s skill set would make him a valuable asset in Australian conditions. “Harshit Rana… He’s got special skills; he’s got good backspin on the ball, kisses of the pitch,” Karthik stated. He added that Harshit’s inclusion in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be a game-changer for India.
Karthik also mentioned that Harshit Rana could have been a strong addition to India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai. Although satisfied with the current squad, Karthik noted, “I just thought, could there be a chance for Harshit Rana? He bowled very well; something very special about him.”
Harshit Rana had a standout IPL 2024 season, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches for KKR, finishing as the joint fourth-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. His performances earned him his first India call-up in July 2024 for the T20I series against Zimbabwe, followed by an ODI call-up for the series against Sri Lanka in August. However, despite being part of the squad, Harshit did not get a chance to play in any of the matches.
As Karthik’s comments suggest, Harshit Rana’s potential could make him a valuable player for India in the near future, especially in overseas conditions like Australia. With his performances in the IPL and domestic cricket, Harshit is emerging as one of the most promising young fast bowlers in India’s cricketing ranks.
