Team India pacer Harshit Rana has shrugged off the impact of external pressure and criticism, emphasizing his focus on representing the country. When asked about the chatter, he calmly remarked that people will always have something to say.
Harshit delivered an impressive performance on his ODI debut against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on February 6. Despite conceding 26 runs to Phil Salt in the sixth over, the right-arm pacer made a strong comeback, finishing with figures of 3-53.
Harshit’s ODI debut selection raised eyebrows, especially with Arshdeep Singh in the squad, and his inclusion in the Test tour of Australia also sparked debate. After India’s win in Nagpur, Harshit downplayed the external criticism, stating (as quoted by The Times of India):
“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.”
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The fast bowler sparked controversy when he replaced Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute in the Pune T20I, with critics questioning the like-for-like nature of the substitution. On his ODI debut, the youngster confidently stated that he was prepared for the 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.
After his stellar performance in the Nagpur ODI, Harshit became the first Indian bowler to take three-wicket hauls on debut in all formats.
“I Simply Focused on My Length”: Harshit Rana looks back on thrilling ODI debut
The fast bowler’s ODI debut can be split into two phases. Initially, Salt attacked him as England made a strong start. However, Harshit responded by dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the same over. Reflecting on his performance, the pacer shared:
“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.”
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