At just 23, Harshit Rana may still be learning the ropes of international cricket, but his raw pace and fearless approach have already earned him a place across formats in the Indian side. The young pacer’s ODI debut earlier this year against England’s “Bazballers” perfectly summed up the ups and downs of a rookie finding his feet at the highest level.

Rana’s first spell was far from ideal—conceding 37 runs in his opening three overs, including a nightmare over where Phil Salt smashed him for 26 runs. Just when the debutant feared being written off, a moment of brilliance from Shreyas Iyer turned the tide.

Iyer’s sharp run-out of Salt lifted the team, and in that huddle, captain Rohit Sharma gave Rana a simple but game-changing tip: “Udhar se ball daaliyo” [Bowl from the other end].

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The advice worked instantly. Harshit Rana dismissed Ben Duckett with a sharp delivery caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal and followed it up with a fiery bouncer to remove England skipper Harry Brook. Recalling the moment, Rana revealed he asked Rohit, “Bhaiyya, sar pe maaroon?” [Should I bowl it at his head?]. Rohit’s nod gave him the confidence, and Brook fell victim to a short ball, nicking behind to KL Rahul.

Rana wasn’t done. Liam Livingstone, who came out swinging wildly at every delivery, was his next target. “He kept trying to hit every ball, whether standing still or charging down. I kept thinking—why not wait? But when he jumped again, I bowled short, and he edged it,” Rana said.

By the end of his seven-over spell, Rana had figures of 3 for 53, including a maiden, dismissing Brook, Duckett, and Livingstone. England folded for 248, and India cruised home with four wickets in hand and 68 balls to spare.

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For a bowler still finding consistency, the debut became a tale of resilience and trust. With Rohit’s guidance and Gautam Gambhir’s constant reminder to “use pace as his strength,” Rana turned what looked like a forgettable start into a memorable first impression. As he gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, his ability to learn on the go and back his instincts makes him one of India’s most exciting young quicks to watch out for.