Harshit Rana set to debut in the final India vs New Zealand Test?

For spectators, the third and final India vs New Zealand match at Wankhede may seem like a dead rubber, but the Indian team understands the significance of this concluding red-ball clash. New Zealand has already dealt a heavy blow by winning the series. Their 113-run victory in Pune marked New Zealand as the first team to defeat India in a home Test series in over 12 years. India now enters the field at Wankhede, aiming to preserve their record of never having faced a series whitewash at home in Tests. The final match is set to commence on November 1. However, just before the clash, a notable update has emerged within the India squad.

Harshit Rana likely to earn the Indian cap in the final India vs New Zealand Test

Pacer Harshit Rana has been recalled to the India squad for the final India vs New Zealand Test in Mumbai. Initially named as a bowling reserve for the three-match series, Rana had been released from the squad to participate in the ongoing Ranji Trophy for Delhi. Now, it appears the board’s emphasis on domestic performances paving the way for national team selection is paying off. Only days after a stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy, Rana is on the cusp of his national debut.

In Delhi’s third-round Ranji Trophy match against Assam, Rana secured a five-wicket haul and ended the game, which Delhi won by 10 wickets, with seven wickets to his name. Before his impressive display in the domestic red-ball competition, he was also named in the India squad for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Although Rana has yet to debut for India, he has been a regular squad member since India’s historic T20 World Cup victory earlier this year. His selection is largely due to his standout IPL 2024 performance, where he took 19 wickets across 13 matches. Playing for KKR, who clinched the IPL 2024 title, Rana emerged as the highest wicket-taking uncapped player of the season, earning him a spot in the India squad for the white-ball series in Sri Lanka and the recent home T20I series against Bangladesh.

Now that India has brought him back into the squad for the final India vs New Zealand match, it appears likely that Rana will get his much-anticipated debut. The chance to play in this last Test may also be a strategic move by head coach Gautam Gambhir to prepare Rana for the upcoming Australia Tour. Rana's addition in the squad for the Border Gavaskar series is a notable move as the team remains devoid of their primary seamer, Mohammed Shami. The seasoned pacer is still recovering from his injury and has not played competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.