Harshit Rana Returns To India's ODI Squad, Earns Another Chance Ahead Of Busy International Season
Indian fast pacer Harshit Rana has been added to the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan after making a full recovery from his injury. The BCCI confirmed his addition to the squad on 19 June 2026, marking a significant comeback after spending several months recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of most major competitions earlier this year.
Harshit Rana is a 24-year-old Indian fast bowler who represents India in international cricket, plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and represents the Delhi cricket team in domestic cricket. He is regarded as one of India’s most promising young fast bowlers, known for his pace, bounce, aggression, and ability to contribute with the bat.
His full name is Harshit Pradeep Rana, and he was born on 22 December 2001 in Ghevra, near the Delhi-Haryana border. His father, Pradeep Rana, was associated with the CRPF and came from a sporting background, having been a hammer thrower and weightlifter. Harshit began his cricket training at a very young age and received formal coaching while studying at Ganga International School in Delhi.
Harshit progressed through the Delhi cricket circuit by attracting attention for his pace and ability to generate steep bounce. One of his most memorable domestic performances came in the 2023 Duleep Trophy, where he scored an unbeaten 122 off just 86 balls, showcasing his batting potential.
Harshit was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2022 IPL auction and made his IPL debut that season. His breakthrough came in the 2024 IPL, where he stood out among the tournament’s fast bowlers, taking 19 wickets and playing a major role in KKR’s title-winning campaign.
1. Test Debut
Harshit made his Test debut for India against Australia in Perth during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
2. T20I Debut
He made his T20I debut against England in January 2025 as a concussion substitute and impressed everyone by taking crucial wickets.
3. ODI Debut
He made his ODI debut against England in February 2025 and immediately impressed, claiming 3 wickets for 53 runs.
4. Champions Trophy 2025
He was drafted into India’s squad following an injury to Jasprit Bumrah and became part of India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign.
Harshit Rana is known for consistently bowling above 140km/h and extracting bounce from good-length deliveries, reflecting his aggressive and attacking mindset. He is also known for his ability to bowl in the middle and death overs, along with making useful batting contributions in the lower order.
Experts and cricket fans view him as a potential pace-bowling all-rounder for India in the future, highlighting his ability to chip in with valuable runs and wickets under pressure.
Harshit suffered a temporary setback when he sustained a knee injury in 2026 prior to the T20 World Cup. He was ruled out of the tournament and subsequently missed IPL 2026 while undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.
After recovering from his injury and rehabilitation, Harshit Rana was recalled to the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan, indicating that the selectors view him as a significant part of India’s future pace attack.
At just 24 years of age, Harshit Rana remains one of the brightest fast-bowling prospects in Indian cricket. His return to the ODI squad underlines his importance as a long-term asset for Indian cricket. The Afghanistan ODI series could be the first step in resuming his international career, which was temporarily interrupted by injury.
Who is Harshit Rana ?
Harshit Rana is a 24-year-old Indian fast bowler who represents India in international cricket, plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and represents the Delhi cricket team in domestic cricket. He is regarded as one of India’s most promising young fast bowlers, known for his pace, bounce, aggression, and ability to contribute with the bat.
His full name is Harshit Pradeep Rana, and he was born on 22 December 2001 in Ghevra, near the Delhi-Haryana border. His father, Pradeep Rana, was associated with the CRPF and came from a sporting background, having been a hammer thrower and weightlifter. Harshit began his cricket training at a very young age and received formal coaching while studying at Ganga International School in Delhi.
Domestic Cricket Career
Harshit progressed through the Delhi cricket circuit by attracting attention for his pace and ability to generate steep bounce. One of his most memorable domestic performances came in the 2023 Duleep Trophy, where he scored an unbeaten 122 off just 86 balls, showcasing his batting potential.
IPL Career
Harshit was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2022 IPL auction and made his IPL debut that season. His breakthrough came in the 2024 IPL, where he stood out among the tournament’s fast bowlers, taking 19 wickets and playing a major role in KKR’s title-winning campaign.
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International Career
1. Test Debut
Harshit made his Test debut for India against Australia in Perth during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
2. T20I Debut
He made his T20I debut against England in January 2025 as a concussion substitute and impressed everyone by taking crucial wickets.
3. ODI Debut
He made his ODI debut against England in February 2025 and immediately impressed, claiming 3 wickets for 53 runs.
4. Champions Trophy 2025
He was drafted into India’s squad following an injury to Jasprit Bumrah and became part of India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign.
Playing Style
Harshit Rana is known for consistently bowling above 140km/h and extracting bounce from good-length deliveries, reflecting his aggressive and attacking mindset. He is also known for his ability to bowl in the middle and death overs, along with making useful batting contributions in the lower order.
Experts and cricket fans view him as a potential pace-bowling all-rounder for India in the future, highlighting his ability to chip in with valuable runs and wickets under pressure.
Injury Setback in 2026
Harshit suffered a temporary setback when he sustained a knee injury in 2026 prior to the T20 World Cup. He was ruled out of the tournament and subsequently missed IPL 2026 while undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.
Latest Update 2026
After recovering from his injury and rehabilitation, Harshit Rana was recalled to the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan, indicating that the selectors view him as a significant part of India’s future pace attack.
At just 24 years of age, Harshit Rana remains one of the brightest fast-bowling prospects in Indian cricket. His return to the ODI squad underlines his importance as a long-term asset for Indian cricket. The Afghanistan ODI series could be the first step in resuming his international career, which was temporarily interrupted by injury.
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