Harshit Rana to join Indian team ahead of third Test against New Zealand

CHENNAI: Delhi pacer Harshit Rana has been asked to join the Indian team ahead of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Rana, who is currently playing for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy clash against Assam, will leave the capital city and join the national side on Wednesday.

This call-up comes less than a week after Rana was included in the India Test squad for the five-match series in Australia which begins on November 22. However, it should not come as a surprise should Rana get his Test cap at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

Since his inclusion in the squad for the Australia series, Rana took a fifer against Assam in the Ranji Trophy clash played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. He followed it up with a crucial fifty which ensured Delhi had a chance at securing the first innings lead.

The pacer, who broke into the limelight after his performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s Indian Premier League, has been on the rise since. He got the ODI call-up during the Sri Lanka tour but did not get any game. Since then, he has taken two four-fers in the Duleep Trophy and followed it up with a fifer in the game against Assam.

At a time when India are looking to build the fast bowling pool, especially with the workload of Jasprit Bumrah increasing, Rana’s call-up only shows the trust the team management and selectors have placed in him. With the series on the line, he could get the first taste of international cricket in Mumbai this week before getting on that plane to Australia.