By now, Harshit Rana has gotten used to the trolls on social media, a medium that gives poison a platform. A couple of months ago, during the home series against South Africa, the 24-year-old had spoken about developing a nice habit of ignoring the abuse. “If I keep thinking about that, I won’t be able to play,” he had said. This Indian team is good at shutting out the outside noise. It kept backing the youngster, believing that at the moment he is the team’s best bet to fill in the bowling all-rounder’s slot at No. 8 in white-ball cricket.
Progress for a young player is never linear. There will be inconsistencies. On Sunday also, at times, Rana wasn’t hitting the right length. But the way he changed his approach and started bowling cutters into the deck during his second spell attested smartness. He castled a well-set Devon Conway with a beauty after breaking a 117-run opening partnership, accounting for Henry Nicholls.
When India chased, the game became a little tight towards the end. Harshit confirmed that Washington Sundar was nursing a side strain, a reason why he came out to bat at No. 7, ahead of the southpaw. A dropped catch notwithstanding, his 29 off 23 balls and a 37-run sixth wicket partnership with KL Rahul helped India avoid death-overs slip-up.
“The team management wants to groom me as an all-rounder,” Harshit said at the post-match press conference. “The team management has told me that I can contribute through my all-round game, scoring 30-40 runs at No. 8. I’m working on that, giving more time to my batting at the nets.”
If Harshit continues to develop, that would augur well for India.
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