"If you will bowl 125 kph, even a local club will not select you" - Harshit Rana's father challenges pacer to bowl at 150 kph
Team India pacer Harshit Rana's father, Pradeep Rana, has fired a warning to his son following his performance in the second second Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Adelaide. After an impressive debut in the Perth Test, the pacer failed to replicate his good form in the second one.
Harshit Rana has played just two Tests so far, both in the ongoing BGT, and had contrasting outings. The pacer seemed to struggle with the pink ball and was not consistent with his line and length.
Heading into the third Test in Brisbane, the Indian pacers will need to put in a better display to win and have an outside chance of qualifying for the WTC finals. With reports indicating a possible return for Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep in the reckoning, Harshit may not be an automatic pick in the playing XI.
Pradeep Rana has challenged his son to bowl at 150 kph, saying he will consider him a top player only when he clocks that speed.
"I have challenged him to bowl 150 kph. I have told him I will consider you a player the day you touch 150 kph," Pradeep Rana was quoted as saying by Indian Express, via Hindustan Times.
The pacer's father has come out hard on him, stating that Harshit will have to bowl at 150 kph if he wants to continue playing cricket for the country. At the moment, he is clocking the late-120s and mid-130s but he will have to up his pace, especially in Australia.
"If you bowl 150 kph, no one will stop you from playing for India, but if you will bowl 125 kph, even a local club will not select you," he added.
Harshit Rana's success and struggle in Australia so far
Harshit Rana, at 22, making his Test debut for India against Australia Down Under, can be considered a significant achievement. He was in the limelight in IPL 2024 picking up 19 wickets in a triumphant campaign, but cricket often can humble the greatest of them all.
In his first Test at Perth, Harshit Rana impressed claiming three wickets in the first innings, dismissing Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. He grabbed four wickets in the match overall. However, in the second Test in Adelaide, he failed to pick up a single wicket. He also gave away 86 runs in 16 overs and was unable to put the Australian batters under pressure.
At just 22, he still has a lot of time on his side and would be keen to bounce back, especially given the tough competition in the bowling department.