A heavily scrutinised 23-year-old, Harshit Rana, may not have been an out-and-out choice bowler in the India playing XI in the eyes of fans and experts, but has been fully trusted by the team management for the potential he carries. Despite the outer noise, in 2025, Rana picked up most wickets for India in the One Day Internationals. He has a knack for picking big wickets, especially with the older ball when the team is looking for breakthroughs and the ability to chip in with the bat. Thus, Harshit Rana is the only prospect for the No. 8 position, especially in ODIs. Harshit Rana’s Biography and Early Career Hailing from Ghevra, Delhi, Harshit Rana took to cricket with his father, who ignited his passion. He used to start his day with a 4:30 A.M. training session, followed by another long session after school. Although Harshit Rana found his métier in fast bowling, he has grown to become a handy lower-order batter and is currently on the path to becoming a genuine all-rounder. Despite his performance, the prodigious talent failed to make the Delhi Under-14 and Under-16 squads due to a recurring lower-back glute injury. Rana did not let this setback affect him. He used to travel 42 kilometres a day to Gurgaon for his rehab. In 2012, he joined a cricket academy in Shadipur, Delhi, where he met his first coach, Shravan Kumar, who guided the fierce pacer to prominence. In the meantime, he was also mentored by Amit Bhandari and NS Negi, and their guidance helped him earn a spot in the Delhi Under-19 One-Day squad. Harshit Rana’s Domestic Career In 2020-21, Harshit Rana was picked for the Delhi Under-25 and Ranji squads. This was followed by his List-A debut, which came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022. In his maiden Ranji Trophy season in 2022-23, he was the highest wicket-taker for Delhi, with 21 dismissals in eight innings, including a seven-wicket haul against Hyderabad. Rana impressed with the bat in the Duleep Trophy 2023, smashing his maiden First-Class centur
