Harshit Rana bowls to Shubman Gill in Mumbai nets, but Gautam Gambhir denies his inclusion in squad

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir brushed off all the reports of Harshit Rana joining the team for the last Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He confirmed that the pacer has joined the team as a net bowler to prepare for the Australia tour.

Young India National Cricket Team fast bowler Harshit Rana has been in the news for the last few days. Some reports claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had added the speedster to the team for the final Test of the series against New Zealand.

Harshit Rana was seen bowling to Shubman Gill in the nets ahead of the third India vs New Zealand Test

Not only this, it was also learned that Harshit Rana is in line to make his debut for the India National Cricket Team at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the last match of the three-match series will take place. The speculations got even more high when he was seen with the Indian team on the eve of the third Test.

Harshit Rana was seen bowling at Shubman Gill in the nets. This made many speculate that he has been added to the team and will be playing the last Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He initially was the traveling reserve for the team.

Harshit Rana has joined Team India and is currently bowling at Shubman Gill at nets #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/82o1UmoTLg

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 31, 2024

Harshit Rana is here to train with the squad ahead of the tour to Australia - Gautam Gambhir

With a lot of rumors circulating about Harshit Rana joining the Indian team, head coach Gautam Gambhir lashed out at the reports. He mentioned that the fast bowler has been called up to train ahead of the Australia tour, which will begin on 22nd November.

Gautam Gambhir also pointed out that the assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar also clarified on the last day that they haven't added anyone to the team. Speaking to reporters ahead of the final Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, the India head coach stated:

"I don't know where this has come from. Harshit Rana is here to train with the squad ahead of the tour to Australia. Abhishek made it very clear yesterday that no one has been added to the squad."

Harshit Rana is part of the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Harshit Rana notably has been added to the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The fast bowler has been putting in the hard yards for the last few months. His terrific performances have seen him getting fast-tracked into the Indian setup in all three formats of the game.

He recently shined for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against against Assam. The pacer returned with the five-wicket haul and scored a fifty batting at No. 8. Overall he has picked up 36 wickets at an average of 24.75 in nine FC games. It remains to be seen if he will make his debut for the National team anytime soon.