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Harshit Rana Reveals Gambhir’s Message Before Becoming Concussion Substitute
By CricShots - Feb 1, 2025 2:04 pm
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India clinched a thrilling 15-run victory over England in the fourth T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on January 31, securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The match saw standout performances from Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana, though only one of them was originally named in the playing XI.

Harshot Rana
Harshot Rana bowled a good spell

Dube was a catalyst in India’s recovery after a dodgy start, hitting a vital half-century. His sixth-wicket partnership of 87 runs with Hardik Pandya contributed towards that competitive total. The rest of his innings, however, took an unfortunate turn in the final over, when a sharp bouncer from Jamie Overton struck him on the helmet.

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Although he saw the game through to its completion, he didn’t bat in the second innings and was replaced by Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute. This unexpected entry turned out to be a match-winning moment for India. Rana, this young Delhi pacer, stamped his authority at once, scalping Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell and Overton which turned the match in India’s favor. There was nothing ordinary about his first T20 Internationals either.

 

Coming out after the match, Harshit Rana said, “Gautam Gambhir sir told me about my selection two overs into England’s innings”.

It still feels like a dream debut for me. When Dube returned to the dugout, sir (Gambhir) told me I would be the concussion substitute. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and I wanted to prove that I belong at this level. I stuck to what worked for me in the IPL and executed it here,” Harshit Rana told the broadcasters.

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The 23-year-old had earlier played two Tests in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia but became the first Indian cricketer to make a debut in T20Is as a concussion substitute. With the series already decided, India and England will now shift to Mumbai for the fifth and final T20I at Wankhede Stadium on February 2.