3 reasons why Harshit Rana should be included in playing XI for IND vs AFG 3rd ODI

Harshit Rana has joined India’s squad against Afghanistan ahead of 3rd ODI.

Indian Cricket Team are just one victory away from completing a clean sweep against Afghanistan in the ongoing ODI series. The Shubman Gill & Co. defeated Afghanistan in the first two games by big margins, having won the 1st ODI by 7 wickets and the 2nd game by 170 runs.

With third IND vs AFG ODI around the corner, Harshit Rana was added to the India squad after missing the T20 World Cup 2026 and IPL 2026 due to a knee injury. The right-arm pacer successfully completed his rehabilitation at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).

The 24-year-old pacer has made his international debut in all three formats over the last few years and is seen as a promising all-format pacer for India in future. In this listicle, let’s discuss three reasons why Harshit Rana should be picked in India’s playing 11 in IND vs AFG 3rd ODI.

Reasons why Harshit Rana should play in 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan

3. Preparation game for Harshit before comeback in T20Is after injury

Rana was picked as a one of pacers in India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026 in February. However, due to a knee injury in the warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the tournament, he was ruled out of the entire campaign.

He sustained a ligament injury in his right knee and got replaced by Mohammed Siraj in the squad. The injury also sidelined him for IPL 2026, where he was set to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Harshit has completed his rehabilitation at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is all set to take the field. Since he has been out of the action for long time, he should be allowed to play in the dead-rubber third ODI against Afghanistan.

The youngster has made a comeback to competitive cricket after a long time and is also part of the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England. Playing against Afghanistan in the third ODI will help him to prepare for these two away tours.

2. Test him before upcoming ODI series

After the two-match T20I series against Ireland this month, the Men in Blue are scheduled to take on England in a T20I and ODI series. England will have the home advantage in the campaign and India will need to perform at their best to outplay them in English conditions.

The England tour will start with five T20Is and conclude with three ODI games. Rana has only played nine ODIs so far and picking him in the 3rd ODI against Afghanistan will allow the management to test him in the 50-over format, keeping in mind the Cricket World Cup 2027.

BCCI is yet to announce the squad for the ODI series against England and Harshit can get a spot if he is allowed to play in the final clash against Afghanistan.

1. Rana’s decent record in ODIs

Rana has only played a handful of games for India, but is among the few active players who feature in all three formats. In two tests, he has clinched four wickets at an average of 50.75.

He has made a good impact in T20Is, clinching nine wickets in an equal number of games at an economy of 10.61, including a best bowling show of 3/33.

Even in ODIs, the right-arm speedster has done a decent job, having scalped 26 wickets in 14 encounters at an average of 27.38 and an economy of 6.21.

Rana has bagged a four-wicket haul against Australia and four three-wicket hauls against South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Bangladesh. Rana has also slammed a fifty in ODIs and is pretty handy with bat down the order.

He can be given a chance over Arshdeep Singh in the final clash as the latter got opportunities in first two against Afghanistan.

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