India’s ODI series loss to New Zealand will not be viewed kindly, especially considering the manner in which the hosts once again saw their home fort breached by the Blackcaps. While there were positives in the form of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul – reinforcing Rahul’s status as the best player in India at the moment –there was one more name that stood out for all the right reasons.
That player was Harshit Rana.
Since his debut in India in 2024, opinions on Harshit have been divided. Many questioned his place in the team, with some criticizing Gautam Gambhir for allegedly favoring the Delhi pacer he worked with in KKR in 2024. Even then, Harshit was repeatedly given heavy roles with the ball while his batting went largely unnoticed.
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Gambhir used him at No.7 during the second T20I against Australia last year and it wasn’t like the 24-year-old was being thrown into the deep end without preparation. While there were no flashy knocks, Harshit produced a composed 35 off 33 balls, with his primary task being to support Abhishek Sharma.
A similar role awaited him in the first ODI as well, where he was expected to support KL Rahul in the chase. Any boundaries along the way would be a bonus. Instead of staying in his shell, Harshit followed his instincts, played his shots and made significant contributions that helped India close the game.
In the third ODI, India looked dead and buried despite Virat Kohli still at the crease. Ravindra Jadeja just walked out and Harshit walked in with 150+ needed. While Kohli was seen as the saviour, this moment called for a reliable sidekick – and Harshit filled that role perfectly.
He scored his maiden ODI fifty off just 41 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes. What stood out was not blind smacking but the confidence he put into his power and he took on bowlers including the intimidating Kyle Jamieson with confidence.
Apart from the big hits, Harshit showed maturity – pushing hard in the singles and doubles alongside the still-fit Kohli. The duo added 99 runs off just 69 balls and kept India in the contest much longer than expected. Shubman Gill later praised the pacer’s growth and emphasized his importance lower down the order.
“I think he’s someone who really improves the batting. The position he bats in – number eight – is very important to us. Other teams around the world bat really deep. They often play with five specialist batsmen and then some all-rounders. So it’s important to give opportunities to players who can bat. I’m very happy with how he’s growing and how he’s contributing to the team,” Gill told a press conference.
Up to the task
While No. 8 currently suits him, there is a strong case for Harshit to be judged at No. 7 – a position that requires more batting skills. Encouragingly, the pacer has already raised his hand for it versatile role for the futureand his numbers support the ambition.
In 14 first-class matches, Harshit scored 499 runs at an average of 31.18, including a century. His ODI numbers so far are:
Matches: 14
Number of runs: 124
Average: 24.8
Stake rate: 121.56
One of the most striking aspects of his batting was how erratic he looked against short-pitched bowling, even when he failed to connect – a point Sunil Gavaskar was quick to point out.
“Very, very good innings. He batted like the lower-order batsmen, no worries. There were no expectations of him. His job was to swing the bat. If he connected, great. When the short ball rolled, he tried to cut it. He wasn’t able to get it, and he wasn’t sorry because he recognized that it looked like when I pitched, half a hammer.” down where the ball’s going, I’ll hit you for a six and that’s exactly what he did, and what was impressive to me was that he didn’t look distressed that he didn’t actually get any of those runs,” Gavaskar said.
Harshit at No. 7 could solve a lot of problems
With Hardik Pandya sure to occupy the No. 6 slot when fit, India’s biggest worry lies at No. 7. Ravindra Jadeja’s influence seems to be waning, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is still not considered ready. Putting Harshit at No.7 could open the door for more flexibility in team selection.
This would allow India to bring in either a specialist bowler or another all-rounder. Given Jadeja’s struggles – both in terms of wickets and economy – India may also consider alternatives in the spin department.
Someone like Harsh Dubey could be tried at No.8 while Varun Chakravarthy could be brought back to support Kuldeep Yadav. Such combinations could help solve more balance problems within the party.
Not yet finished article
Despite his impressive batting, Harshit remains a work in progress – especially with the ball. There were phases during the third ODI where he lacked penetration and ran away with runs in the middle overs.
India will remember past examples like Irfan Pathan, whose increasing batting responsibilities eventually affected his bowling. Simon Doull echoed a similar caution, praising Harshit’s competitive edge.
“He seems like a guy who wants to compete. The mild-mannered players come from the south of India and the ones who want to be in the fight come a little further north. When you go to Delhi or even Punjab, they are ready for it.”
“They want to get involved and Harshit Rana is one of those guys. He’s been an equal in that partnership in terms of run scoring. So India are looking for a player. My concern about Harship would be from a bowling perspective. Second spell and third spell, coming back with the same verve that he has in the No. 1 spell. So if they can work it out in terms of internationals, it’s still in the works.” that fitness, as they develop a true striker at 8 or 9, in the ODI game and the T20 competition, could be just as valuable,” said Doull.
If Harshit can continue to improve his batting without letting his bowling suffer, India may have a genuine long-term solution at No.7 – one capable of tilting games with both bat and ball.
– The end
Published on:
January 19, 2026