Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has explained why Harshit Rana appears to be ahead of experienced pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj in Team India’s current pecking order. According to Kaif, the Delhi speedster offers an added dimension with the bat, making him a valuable option in Gautam Gambhir’s long-term plans as India begin shaping their squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif highlighted the contrasting pathways for batters and fast bowlers in Indian cricket. He noted that while batters often have to consistently perform across domestic cricket and the IPL before earning an opportunity, pacers are being fast-tracked due to the increasing workload on India’s bowling resources and the frequency of injuries.
Kaif pointed out that India’s selectors are investing in young fast bowlers to build a stronger pace pool for the future. He cited Gurnoor Brar as an example, explaining that the left-arm seamer has already broken into the national setup despite not yet featuring in the IPL for Gujarat Titans.
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“If you are a batter, you usually have to wait much longer for your opportunity. Even after performing consistently in domestic cricket and the IPL, there is no guarantee of selection. But it is different for fast bowlers because India need to manage workloads and injuries. That’s why players like Gurnoor Brar are getting opportunities despite not playing in the IPL,” Mohammad Kaif said.
The former India cricketer also explained why Harshit Rana currently enjoys an advantage over Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. While acknowledging the quality and experience of both senior pacers, Kaif believes Harshit’s batting ability significantly strengthens his case in limited-overs cricket.
Should Shami & Siraj be in contention for 2027 World Cup❓@MohammadKaif & @ImZaheer assess their chances 👇#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/wBY1RkGg31
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 21, 2026
Harshit has shown that he can contribute valuable runs lower down the order, giving India greater depth at No. 8. Mohammad Kaif believes that versatility is something Gautam Gambhir values highly while building a balanced ODI side. “Harshit Rana has another advantage—he can bat as well. He provides balance at No. 8, which is one of the reasons Gautam Gambhir rates him highly. Among the fast bowlers in contention, very few can contribute with the bat, and that gives Harshit an edge,” Kaif explained.
Kaif also named Prince Yadav as the emerging fast bowler who has impressed him the most. The youngster earned his maiden India call-up after a standout IPL 2026 campaign and has quickly justified the faith shown in him with some promising performances.
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The former batter described Prince as an “X-factor” pacer, praising his genuine pace, slingy action, and ability to bowl effectively across all phases of an innings. Whether with the new ball, through the middle overs, or at the death, Kaif believes Prince possesses the complete skill set required in modern white-ball cricket.
Since making his international debut, Prince has picked up five wickets in four T20Is and added four more wickets in three ODI appearances, further strengthening his credentials. With India continuing to identify the right bowling combination ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kaif feels Harshit Rana’s all-round value and Prince Yadav’s exciting potential could play key roles in the team’s long-term plans, while competition among India’s fast bowlers remains stronger than ever.
