IND vs AUS: Harshit Rana to be picked for BGT? Dinesh Karthik offers BCCI a suggestion

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels that rookie fast bowler Harshit Rana can make a difference for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Karthik called Harshit a talented fast bowler and hopes India can take him to Australia.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be played later this year. The five-match Test series between hosts Australia and India is believed to be an enthralling Test series between the top two teams of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The series is a highly anticipated one given India's recent record in red-ball cricket in Australia. Both India and Australia have been one of the strongest Test teams over the past few years with some world-class players in their respective teams.

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Dinesh Karthik picks Harshit Rana as the bowler who "will make a difference" in Australia

While speaking on Cricbuzz's special segment 'HeyCB with DK', Dinesh Karthik was asked about the best hit-the-deck bowler who could do well in Australia. Karthik had no hesitation in naming Harshit Rana.

Karthik further elaborated that Rana has special skills and is a talented pacer. He believes that Rana can make a difference in the bouncy Australian conditions and wishes for his selection in the squad.

"Harshit Rana! He has got special skill. He has got good backspin on the ball, kisses off the pitch. (He is) very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia. I think he will make a difference there," Karthik explained.

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Harshit Rana in IPL 2024

Harshit Rana has emerged as one of the best finds for India in the last one year or so. The tall fast bowler had a fantastic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season where he picked up 19 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 2015. He finished as the joint-fourth-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

But Rana is not just seen as a T20 bowler. The 22-year-old might have played a limited no. of matches in first-class cricket but can be extremely useful in red-ball cricket in the future. In 8 first-class matches so far, he has picked up 32 wickets at an average of 25.31.

Rana's tall and strong body structure combined with a simple high-arm action makes him a bowler to watch out for. He also possesses the ability to bowl at high speeds of over 140 kmph on a consistent basis and likes to hit the good length area to generate awkward bounce.

He is currently playing for India D in the Duleep Trophy 2024. He finished with 4-33 in the first innings of the opening round match against India C, which included the big wickets of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan.

The pitches in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 are likely to offer bounce for the pace bowlers and Harshit Rana can be a terrific addition to India's squad. Currently, India lacks a tall fast bowler in their ranks and Rana can complete the attack.