Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of young pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian Test team. Rana’s impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Duleep Trophy have caught Karthik’s attention, who believes the 22-year-old deserves a spot in the national side.
Rana emerged as a breakout star in the IPL 2023 season, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace made him a key contributor to KKR’s third IPL title triumph.
Karthik, who played alongside Rana at KKR, was particularly impressed by the youngster’s performance in the Duleep Trophy. Rana took four wickets in the first innings of the first round match against India C and another four-fer in the second round against India A.
Despite his impressive form, Rana was not included in India’s squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Karthik expressed his surprise at this omission, stating that Rana could have been considered for the first Test.
“I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? I felt he bowled well and there is something really special about him,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
Karthik believes that Rana’s unique skills, including his ability to generate backspin and kiss the pitch, would make him a valuable asset in Australian conditions. India is scheduled to tour Australia later this year for five Tests, and Karthik urged the selectors to pick Rana for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Harshit Rana. He has special skills, a good backspin on the ball, kisses off the pitch, and is a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia because he will make a difference there,” he added.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has opted for four seamers in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal. However, Karthik’s comments suggest that Rana could be in contention for a place in the Test team in the near future.
