"No additions to the squad"- Abhishek Nayar confirms Harshit Rana won't make his debut in 3rd IND vs NZ 2024 TestÂ
Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has rubbished reports of pacer Harshit Rana being added to Team India's squad for the upcoming third and final Test against New Zealand. He confirmed that no additions have been made to India's lineup.
Harshit was initially named as one of the reserves for the series. However, he was later released to feature in Delhi's Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Assam.
The 22-year-old had a brilliant outing, bagging a five-wicket haul and scoring 59 runs in the first innings. Following the match, reports emerged that Harshit was set to make his Test debut against New Zealand.
Reacting to the reports, Nayar was quoted as saying by TOI:
"No additions to the squad. Every week is critical, every day is critical. We have not been narrow-minded in thinking about WTC final. We want to focus on this match."
It is worth mentioning that Harshit Rana earned his maiden Test call-up after being picked for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
"Harshit Rana is a good pick for Australia" - Sanjay Manjrekar
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar seemed pleased with the selectors' decision to pick Harshit Rana for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Rohit Sharma-led side will tour Australia with five specialist fast bowlers.
On being asked if he was worried about India's inexperienced bowling attack for the crucial series, here's what Manjrekar said on Star Sports' 'Follow the Blues' show:
"That tends to happen. If you look at every tour that India has been overseas, you would have one player who is playing one of his first Test matches or on his first tour as well, and that happens to all teams. Very rarely do you get these days four or five bowlers with all of them having a lot of experience. However, I like Harshit Rana, whatever we have seen of him. I think Harshit Rana is a good pick for Australia."
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will kick off in Perth on November 22.