Fans are already getting busy debating who should make the cut to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024, as anticipation builds up for the same. Traditionally speaking, conditions Down Under would have assisted fast bowlers, and India will require a good pace attack that can give a good fight to the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc-players who have consistently managed to get pace and bounce out of the Australian tracks.
Of the trio, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, experience and effectiveness on Australian soil make them the obvious choices in the pace department for India, while the third seamer to join them shortly will most certainly be a choice of Mohammed Shami, but it all depends on his fitness. Shami can hit the right lengths and get the ball off the seam, making him the ideal candidate, provided he clears the necessary fitness benchmarks before the tour.
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Injuries or fitness issues will, therefore, be compelled to look at their second line of attack, and here’s where the surprise suggestion from former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik comes in. During a recent video with Cricbuzz, Karthik identified young pacer Harshit Rana as a potential game-changer for the Australian tour.
“Harshit Rana! He’s got special skills. He gets a good backspin on the ball. Kisses off the pitch and is a very talented fast bowler. I wish they take him to Australia; I think he will make a difference there,” said Dinesh Karthik.
Rana has been one of the rising stars of Kolkata Knight Riders, having impressed in the 2024 IPL with his 19 wickets to feature among the top wicket-takers. The 22-year-old has also impressed in domestic cricket with some eye-catching performances in Duleep Trophy. He can regularly bowl over 140 kph and hit the deck hard, making him a great prospect for India’s pace attack.
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Perhaps, Rana’s inclusion in the playing eleven could be that upper hand for India, and experience gained in Australia can set him up as a long-term asset for Team India.
