As far-fetched as it may sound, India’s 1-2 series defeat to New Zealand did throw up one bright spot for the hosts. It came off the bat of pacer Harshit Rana, who has ignited hope that he could be developed into a fast-bowling all-rounder. That’s a coveted combination in international cricket, even more so considering that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be held in southern Africa.

India’s 41-run defeat in Indore on Sunday resulted in their first bilateral ODI series loss at home to the Kiwis. That the visitors were fielding a veritable second-string team with several top players either rested or injured made it a bitter pill to swallow. However, Shubman Gill, the team management, and the selectors found some good reasons to be optimistic.

An on-song Virat Kohli, recording an elegant 54th ODI century while anchoring the run chase, was the chief reason for hope. He also guided Nitish Kumar Reddy to a maiden ODI half-century. Reddy is another medium pace all-rounder whose eight overs and nifty contribution with the bat bode well for his place as the injury-prone Hardik Pandya’s replacement.

But it was the stinging fours and sixes (four of each) off Rana’s bat that gave New Zealand a genuine scare. He had already shown some ability in his vital cameo in the first ODI in Vadodara. Here, his knock (52 from 43 balls) may well have been decisive if not for the top order leaving too much for the rest to do. For Rana to perform under intense pressure augurs well for India’s prospects at the World Cup in less than two years in pace-friendly South Africa.

No wonder Rana had skipper Gill raving about him in his assessment of a series in which India didn’t have much else to be happy about. “The knock he played in the first ODI and then today, he is someone who is really improving from a batting perspective. And the position that he is batting at, No. 8, it’s a really important position for us.”

“All the other teams in the world, they bat really deep. We always play five outright batsmen, and then try to fit in a couple of all-rounders. So it’s always our aim to give chances to bowlers who can bat as well, and I’m very happy to see how he is improving,” Gill added. “He could be a really good prospect for us.”

Maintaining a fine balance
Having a frontline bowler who can chip in with the bat will allow India to continue playing five outright batters without affecting team balance.

India has always leaned heavily on all-rounders in the white-ball formats. Not many teams can say they have the services of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar just for their off-spin, let alone their ability to bat anywhere in the order. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, there has been an even greater emphasis on players with multiple skills.
But, unlike at home, typical South African conditions are unlikely to provide much assistance for spin. The hard pitches there stay truer for longer and also have a consistent pace and bounce. In that regard, not only do Rana’s batting exploits hold him in good stead, but so does his bowling.

Rana opened the door for India with the new ball in Indore, with two early wickets, even if his effectiveness fizzled out as the ball got older. His grippy, slower short balls had cracked open New Zealand during the middle-overs phase in Vadodara. These were not outright match-winning contributions, but were useful nonetheless.
“You don’t get that many bowlers who bowl at 140 kmph, consistently, with the height that he has got,” was Gill’s view.
In his short international career, Rana has received brickbats aplenty. His proximity to Gambhir has led to accusations of favouritism, not just from vitriolic online trolls, but also from former India cricketers. His emergence as a strike bowler and useful pinch hitter, though, can be of enormous value for India going into the next World Cup. Especially considering the dubious injury record of Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya.