India’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana had a tough start to his debut ODI match against England at Nagpur. However, he came back strongly and finished with impressive figures of 3-53 in 7 overs.
Rana’s selection ahead of Arshdeep Singh received high scrutiny initially. But his wicket-taking spell in Nagpur silenced his critics. After the match, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was impressed with Rana’s performance and praised his wicket-taking abilities.
Also read: Rohit Sharma furious at India batters despite comfortable 1st ODI win vs ENG
Harshit Rana receives high praise from Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media and spoke specifically about Harshit Rana’s spell. Manjrekar believes that it wasn’t about the economy rate as Rana picked up three big wickets that turned the game India’s way.
“It’s never really about economy. Harshit Rana was the most expensive Indian bowler, but he got three crucial wickets and in many ways, sealed the game for India to win at the halfway stage,” Manjrekar posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Its never really about economy. Harshit Rana was the most expensive Indian bowler, but he got three crucial wickets and in many ways, sealed the game for India to win at the halfway stage. #INDvsENG
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 7, 2025
Harshit Rana produces a match-turning spell
Harshit Rana went for 37 runs in his first three overs, which included a whopping 26-run over as well. Opener Phil Salt smashed three sixes and two fours in the sixth over of the match to put England in command.
After Salt was dismissed, Rohit Sharma brought Rana back for his second spell and it turned out to be a masterstroke. He picked up two wickets in the over, dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in quick succession.
It changed the game completely in India’s favor as England were put right on the backfoot. While Duckett was out while trying to pull a short-of-length delivery, Harry Brook was done for extra pace and edged a short-of-length ball to be caught down the leg side by the wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Harshit Rana picked up another big wicket later in the innings by dismissing Liam Livingstone for just 5 runs. He finished with an economy of 7.57 but his figures of 3-35 took the momentum from England. It dented England’s hopes of posting a challenging first-innings total as they were shot out for a below-par 248 in 47.4 overs.
India produces a complete performance
After dismissing England for 248, India started positively but lost both the openers YashasvI Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma early. However, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer put together a whirlwind partnership of 94 runs to take their team to a strong position.
Both of them were positive with Iyer the more aggressive of the two batters. Iyer was tested with the short ball by England’s quicks but he responded with some eye-catching pull shots. He was finally dismissed for 59 off just 36 balls.
Axar Patel was promoted up the batting order and he didn’t disappoint. The allrounder struck 52 off 47 balls to help his team solidify its position.
India lost some quick wickets in the end but Pandya and Jadeja ensured to take their team home. Shubman Gill top-scored for India with 87 off 96 balls.
