More than a bowler: Harshit Rana's growing all-round value

Harshit Rana comes across as a fighter, delivering in the limited opportunities he has received since his international debut in November 2024. He has contributed not only with the ball but also with the bat.

The Indian team management, under Gautam Gambhir, clearly views him as a bowling all-rounder. He played crucial innings of 24 off 18 in an ODI in Adelaide and 35 off 33 in a T20I at the MCG, though those efforts did not lead to wins.

In Vadodara on Sunday, he turned the match with a vital 29 off 23 to help India take the lead in the three-match series. KL Rahul acknowledged Rana's contribution as the turning point in India's successful chase of 301.

"Harshit did a terrific job as soon as he walked in. He took a lot of pressure off me with the way he struck the ball, and suddenly the chase became much easier," Rahul said. Rana also claimed two important wickets in the New Zealand innings.

Rana is embracing the all-rounder role. "My team wants me to bat at No. 8 as an all-rounder. I focus on that in the nets. I believe I can score 30-40 runs for the team lower down the order whenever needed, and that's what the team management believes as well," he said after India's four-wicket win.

"The team management wants to groom me as an all-rounder, and it is my task to keep working on it. It was a matter of confidence, which KL (Rahul) bhai helped me with when I went in to bat. I stayed focused and got the runs."

Rahul and Rana added 37 off 31 deliveries for the sixth wicket.

Rana, 24, has played two Tests, 12 ODIs, and six T20Is for India.