India fast bowler Harshit Rana recently shared his thoughts on the mental struggles cricketers go through and reflected on his short stint in Test cricket. Although initially excluded from the squad for the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, the 23-year-old was later drafted in for the first Test but was released ahead of the second game at Edgbaston.
The five-match series concluded in a 2-2 draw, with Shubman Gill’s team securing victory in the final Test at The Oval. Speaking on August 6 during an appearance on Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube podcast, Rana opened up about how difficult it is mentally when a player is dropped during a lengthy tour, especially when performances don’t meet expectations.
“The series are long, and the tours last for two to three months. Suppose you’re playing the first match and you don’t perform well. You get dropped and have to sit out for the next four matches.”
“At that point, it can get mentally tough. Still, you have to put in the hard work and keep training on the ground. But mentally, the thought remains that the start wasn’t great and you wish things had gone differently. That feeling stays with you,” Harshit Rana said.
However, he also noted that there is strong camaraderie among the players, with everyone contributing to a positive and encouraging team atmosphere. Rana further said:
“Everyone is very supportive. They remind you you’re playing for India, and that’s something to be proud of. Even during tough times, they encourage you to stay positive and keep giving your best—good days will come.”
“You can’t detach from it” – Harshit Rana on taking a break for mental health
In the same podcast, Ranveer Allahbadia asked Harshit Rana whether conversations about taking mental health breaks are frequent among cricketers. In response, the 23-year-old offered his personal viewpoint:
“It happens, but you can’t really take a break from cricket. You can’t stay away from it. Mentally, you might feel low. Physically, you might be down too. But deep down, cricket is in your heart. You can’t separate yourself from it.”
“You might overthink and feel like things aren’t going well, but in the end, you’ll still find yourself on the ground. That’s where you find happiness. That’s why we always say, just keep your focus on cricket.”
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