Harshit Rana Resolves Concussion-Sub Debate with Clear 'I'm Not Concerned' Statement
2 months ago | 5 Views
India's emerging pace talent, Harshit Rana, made a remarkable impression on his ODI debut against England, securing three wickets and significantly contributing to India's four-wicket victory on Thursday. Although he encountered difficulties early on, including a challenging over that cost 26 runs, Rana rebounded impressively during his second spell.
Recently, the 23-year-old found himself at the center of a controversy regarding a concussion substitute. He was brought in to replace Shivam Dube, who sustained a helmet injury during one of India's T20 matches against England earlier this month. This decision faced considerable criticism from the English side, as Dube is mainly recognized as a batting all-rounder, whereas Rana is primarily a fast bowler.
Following India's triumph in the first ODI, Rana was questioned about the substitution once more, to which he responded candidly, indicating his desire to move past the incident.
"I understand that discussions will continue. My focus is solely on playing, regardless of the circumstances. I am not concerned; my priority is to perform for my country. I do not engage with the surrounding chatter," Rana stated during the post-match press conference after India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rana, who was included in the ODI squad as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, had already garnered attention with his T20I debut the previous week. After stepping in as a concussion substitute, he delivered a match-winning performance, claiming figures of 3/33.
Rana on 1st ODI
The fast bowler disclosed that he learned of his ODI debut upon arriving at the venue in Nagpur.
"You only find out when you reach the ground. I always maintain a mental readiness whenever I arrive. I understand that I could be called upon to play at any moment, as anything can occur. Therefore, I consistently keep myself prepared mentally," he stated.
Rana's ODI debut was filled with highs and lows. In just his third over, his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate, Phil Salt, aggressively attacked him, hitting three sixes and two fours for a total of 26 runs. However, rather than succumbing to the pressure, Rana adjusted his approach. A few overs later, he took the wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the same over, showcasing a remarkable comeback.
"There are always fluctuations in cricket; my focus was solely on my length and bowling in the right areas, which ultimately yielded results. I did not alter my strategy in my second spell; I simply concentrated on hitting the correct spots," he elaborated.
The young fast bowler also recognized the difficulties presented by the 50-over format, which requires bowlers to adapt to various phases of the game.
"This format poses certain challenges due to its length, as you have to bowl 10 overs. You must assume different roles at different stages. However, with adequate practice, it can be manageable," he noted.
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