Harshit Rana played a crucial dual role in India’s first ODI against New Zealand, making a telling impact with both ball and bat to underline his growing value to the team.

Rana first halted New Zealand’s smooth progress by breaking the 117-run opening stand between Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway, a breakthrough that helped India claw their way back into the contest. His disciplined spell in the middle overs applied the brakes on the visitors and shifted momentum in India’s favour.

“The team management wants to groom me as an all-rounder, and it is my task to keep working on it,” Rana told reporters after India’s four-wicket win in the 1st ODI. “I am working on it in the nets as well, and it was a matter of confidence,e which KL (Rahul) bhai helped me with when I went in (to bat). I kept my focus on it and made the runs,” he added.

“My team wants me to bat at No 8 as an all-rounder, er and whatever time I can give to it in the nets, I focus on that. I believe I can score 30-40 runs for the team lower down the order whenever nee,ded and that’s what the team management believes that I can do as well,” Rana added.

The young pacer’s contribution did not end there. Walking in with the bat later in the innings, Rana struck a lively 29 off just 23 deliveries, showing that he is more than just a lower-order hitter who can survive at the crease. His confident strokeplay added valuable runs and further strengthened India’s position in the match.

Rahul reca,lled while speaking to JioHo,tstar why the chase proved comedic batting alongside the maverick all-rounder. “Batting with Harshit Rana in the final overs was fun. I had to calm him down. He kept asking me to remind him not ttory and hit a six every ball, because that was his mindset. I had to settle him. He is new to ODIs and hasn’t played many games,” Rahul said on JioHotstar.

Following his all-round performance, Rana confirmed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management are keen on developing him into a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder, a role that could significantly enhance India’s balance in limited-overs cricket.