India pacer Harshit Rana who picked up three wickets on his ODI debut, has dismissed critics and pressure stating that he wants to focus on playing for the country.
Harshit made an impressive debut in the first ODI match played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association in England tour of India 2025. Phil Salt smashed 26 runs in the sixth over from Harshit Rana. However, he made a stunning comeback to finish with the figures of 3/53.
Some questions were raised when Harshit Rana made his ODI debut in Nagpur, although Arshdeep Singh was also part of the team.
The 23-year-old selection for the test tour of Australia was also a subject of a big debate. Speaking at a press conference after India’s win in Nagpur, Harshit downplayed the critics.
“People will always talk. I just want to play, good or bad. I’m not bothered. My only focus is to deliver for my country.”
He became the subject of concussion sub controversy after he replaced Shivam Dube in Pune T20Is. Most critics accepted that it was not a like-for-like replacement.
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Liam Livingstone departs as England lose their 6⃣th wicket!
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Regarding his performance on his ODI debut, the 23 year old asserted that he was ready for challenge.
“You only get to know if you’re playing when you arrive at the ground. But I always keep myself ready, knowing anything can happen at any time,” the pacer said.
Harshit become the first Indian bowler to claim three-wicket hauls on his debut across all formats. He picked the wickets of Phil Salt, Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the first ODI match of the series.
Reflecting on his effort in the game, the pacer said, “Cricket has ups and downs. I just focused on my length and got my rewards later. I didn’t change anything in my second spell, just hit the right areas.”
“This format is tough because it’s long, and you need to play different roles at different times. But with proper practice, it becomes manageable.”
With India secured a comfortable four wicket victory in the series opener, the focus shifts to the second ODI in Cuttack on February 09. With the Indian team tried to build momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy, Harshit Rana’s raise has added depth to India’s bowling unit, in the absence of Bumrah.
