India national cricket team’s 23-year-old fast bowler Harshit Rana is almost confirmed to be part of the 15-member squad traveling to South Africa for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
India captain Shubman Gill has openly said that Harshit Rana is a vital cog in their preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, as they are looking for someone who can bowl at pace and score runs with the bat.
Shubman Gill talks openly about the expectations from the number 8 player
Ever since Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach began, India have been inclined towards preferring multi-skilled players over specialists even in Test cricket.
For this, Gautam Gambhir has received heavy criticism but things have been good for him as he has already led India to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup 2025 victories by following the same philosophy.
This mantra from Gambhir will continue as India prepare for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, and he has identified Harshit Rana as someone who can shine with both bat and ball in South African conditions.
Speaking to reporters after the Sydney ODI, Shubman Gill said that Rana is being viewed by the team management as a fast bowling all-rounder who can score runs consistently at No. 8.
When Gill was asked if the team saw Rana as a bowler who could contribute regularly with the bat, he said, “Yes, absolutely, sir”. “The number eight position for us, if a batsman can score 20-25 runs, and we are confident he can do that, then it becomes a very important position.”
If we look at South Africa, such bowlers become very important for you – Shubman Gill on Harshit Rana
Shubman Gill further said that Harshit Rana is one of the few bowlers in Indian cricket who is tall and can reach speeds of 140 kmph, making him an essential fast bowler in the team to create chances in the middle overs.
Gill said, “There are very few fast bowlers who are tall, who can bowl more than 140. So on such wickets, or if we are looking at South Africa, such bowlers become very important for you.”
“In the middle overs, we saw that the ball didn’t rotate much off the wicket, so if you have good height and pace, you can create chances,” Gill said.
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The way Harshit progressed, it was very pleasant to see – Shubhman Gill
Harshit Rana produced his best performance in international cricket with the ball in the Sydney ODI against Australia and returned with figures of 4/39.
Apart from this, he had his best performance with the bat by scoring 24* in the second ODI in Adelaide. Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Shubman Gill was full of praise for the fast bowler and said:
“Our game was almost perfect. They started well, but I think the way we pulled it back in the middle overs and then the way Harshit performed was quite pleasing to see.”
