The 23-year-old India National Cricket Team pacer Harshit Rana is all but confirmed to be a part of the 15-man squad that will travel to South Africa for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
India skipper Shubman Gill has openly said that Harshit Rana is a vital cog in the preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, as they are looking to have someone who can bowl at a high pace and chip in runs with the bat.
Shubman Gill opens up on expectations from No.8 player
Since Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as the head coach started, India have inclined towards giving preference to the multi-skilled players over specialists even in Test cricket.
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For this, Gautam Gambhir has received heavy criticism, but things have worked well for him as he has already guided India to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup 2025 triumphs, following the same philosophy.
This mantra of Gambhir is set to continue as India prepare for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, and they have identified Harshit Rana as someone who can shine both with the bat and ball in South African conditions.
Speaking to the reporters after the Sydney ODI, Shubman Gill said that Rana is being seen as a pace-bowling all-rounder by the team management, who can chip in with consistent runs at No.8.
“Yes, absolutely, Sir”, Gill said when asked if the team views Rana as a bowler who can regularly contribute with the bat. “The number eight position for us, if a batsman can make 20-25 runs, and we have confidence he can do it, then it becomes a very important position.”
If we are looking at South Africa, such bowlers become very important for you – Shubman Gill on Harshit Rana
Shubman Gill further said that Harshit Rana is among the very few bowlers in Indian cricket who are tall and can clock 140 kmph, making him a must-have pacer in the team to produce chances in the middle overs.
“There are very few fast bowlers who are tall, who can bowl 140-plus. So on such wickets, or if we are looking at South Africa, such bowlers become very important for you,” Gill said.
“In the middle overs, we saw that the ball doesn’t move much off the wicket, so if you have good height and pace, you can create chances,” Gill added.
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The way Harshit went about, it was pretty pleasing to see – Shubman Gill
Harshit Rana delivered his best-ever performance in international cricket with the ball in the Sydney ODI against Australia as he returned with figures of 4/39.
Also, in the second ODI in Adelaide, he had delivered his best-ever performance with the bat, scoring 24* runs. Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Shubman Gill lavished rich praise on the pacer and said:
“We almost had a near-perfect game.They got off to a good start, but I think the way we pulled it back in the middle overs and then the way Harshit went about, it was pretty pleasing to see.”
