5 instances when Harshit Rana proved his stature as batter ft. IND vs NZ ODI

Harshit Rana has quickly emerged as a valuable No. 8 bowling all-rounder.

Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure has been met with considerable criticism. However, one investment which has proved the former left-handed batter right is their focus on grooming Harshit Rana.

India have historically not been able to produce many pace bowling all-rounders, with Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being the only two options in the current generation.

Hence, there is always a high value for a fast bowler who can bat. Rana has gradually proven that he can also win matches for his team with the bat.

With incredible outings in domestic cricket, the 24-year-old is now showing off his potential in International Cricket as well, thereby repaying the faith and trust shown in him by the current team management.

Instances when Harshit Rana proved his batting capabilities:

5. 59 off 78 vs Assam (Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Group Match)

In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Group D match for Delhi against Assam at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in late October 2024, Harshit Rana showcased his growing all-round credentials by first claiming a five-wicket haul (5/80) to help bundle out Assam for 330, before stepping up with the bat at No. 8.

Coming in when Delhi were precariously placed at 182/6, he played a composed yet aggressive knock of 59 off 78 balls (strike rate ~75.64), featuring four boundaries and three sixes, to guide the team to a first-innings lead and bring up his second first-class fifty.

4. 122* off 86 vs North Zone (Duleep Trophy 2023 Quarterfinal)

In the Duleep Trophy 2023 quarterfinal between North Zone and North East Zone at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Harshit Rana announced himself as a destructive lower-order batter with a maiden first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 122 off just 86 balls, which included 12 fours and 9 sixes, at a strike rate of 141.86.

Joining Nishant Sindhu (150) after the fall of earlier wickets, Rana launched a blistering counter-attack that propelled North Zone to declare at a commanding 540/8, reaching the ton in just 75 balls.

3. 35 off 33 vs Australia (2nd T20I in Melbourne)

In the second T20I of India’s 2025 tour of Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, Harshit Rana was surprisingly promoted to No. 7 ahead of Shivam Dube amid a top-order collapse that left India reeling at 49/5 in the eighth over after Josh Hazlewood’s devastating spell (3/13).

Coming in to bat for the first time at that position in his T20 career, Rana delivered a composed and gritty knock of 35 off 33 balls, with three fours and a 104-meter monster six off Marcus Stoinis over deep mid-wicket that brought up India’s 100.

He formed a crucial 56-run sixth-wicket partnership off 47 balls with Abhishek Sharma. His innings provided much-needed stability and rotation on a spicy and pace-friendly deck.

2. 24* off 18 vs Australia (2nd ODI in Adelaide)

In the second ODI of India’s tour of Australia at the Adelaide Oval on October 23, 2025, Harshit Rana delivered a valuable lower-order cameo, finishing unbeaten on 24 off just 18 balls (including three boundaries).

Coming in at No. 9 with India struggling at 223/7 after 44 overs, he formed a crucial 37-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Arshdeep Singh, helping the team recover from early setbacks, including a poor powerplay, and post a competitive 264/9 in 50 overs.

Rana particularly shone against Adam Zampa, smashing 16 runs in the spinner’s final over to provide late momentum, with India adding 66 runs in the last 10 overs.

1. 29 off 23 vs New Zealand (1st ODI in Vadodara)

In the first ODI of New Zealand‘s tour of India (IND vs NZ)at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, 2026, Harshit Rana delivered a match-winning innings, scoring 29 off 23 balls (including two fours and one six, strike rate 126.08).

Batting at No. 7, he helped India chase down New Zealand’s 300/8 with a tense four-wicket victory and an over to spare. After Virat Kohli’s 93 and Shubman Gill’s 56 set a strong platform, India wobbled with quick wickets.

Rana, promoted ahead of the injured Washington Sundar, took the aggressive route with a massive six over deep mid-wicket off Kristian Clarke and steady boundaries to ease pressure, forming a crucial 37-run partnership with KL Rahul, which allowed Rahul to finish calmly.

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