1st ODI: Harshit Rana Concedes 26 Runs but Shines with 2-43 on Debut
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Harshit Rana faced an intense start in his ODI debut, conceding 26 runs in one over to Phil Salt. However, he made a strong comeback, securing two wickets and helping India regain control during the first ODI against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Harshit Rana conceded 26 runs in his first over.
- He claimed 2 wickets in his debut match.
- The match was held at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
- Rana's performance boosted his chances for the Champions Trophy.
- He faced controversy during a previous T20I but made a strong ODI debut.
Nagpur, Feb 6 (NationPress) It was a challenging debut for India's pace-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana, who endured a tough moment as he conceded 26 runs in a single over against England opener Phil Salt during the first ODI of the three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.
However, the young pacer displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back from that setback to secure his first two wickets in ODI cricket, aiding India in their recovery.
After Mohammed Shami initiated the match with a maiden over, Rana started with promising deliveries, but the aggressive Salt took him on, hitting a boundary on the fourth ball of his opening over and then smashing him again on the final delivery.
Rana, who received his first cap from Shami, tested Salt with his pace in the fourth over. Yet, the 28-year-old opener responded with a top-edged six over the wicketkeeper's head on a length ball outside off. Following that, Salt drove the next delivery through the mid-off and extra-cover boundary. On the subsequent ball, he anticipated Rana’s slower delivery early and sent it soaring over the deep backward square-leg fence.
On the fourth ball of the over, Salt executed a front-foot pull over midwicket for his second four. After a dot ball, he pulled another short delivery from Rana, sending it into the stands beyond square leg. Salt's explosive 6,4,6,4,6 assault propelled England to fifty runs in just 36 balls.
Despite the initial onslaught, the 23-year-old Rana from Delhi kept his composure and claimed his first wicket by dismissing Ben Duckett, thanks to an exceptional catch from fellow debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal. Following Salt's run-out from a brilliant fielding effort by Shreyas Iyer, Rana provided India another breakthrough, aiding the hosts' comeback.
Even after the initial hammering, Rana continued to bowl with determination, and in the 10th over, he delivered a bouncer that Duckett misplayed, resulting in a diving catch by Jaiswal at midwicket, marking Rana's maiden ODI wicket.
Shortly after, he secured his second wicket by dismissing Harry Brook for a duck with a well-angled bouncer, which Brook gloved to wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul while attempting to defend.
Rana concluded his first spell with figures of 2-43 runs, including a maiden over. This performance significantly boosted his prospects for a place in the final squad for the Champions Trophy.
Rana's comeback was commendable, especially after his previous controversial inclusion as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube during the fourth T20I against England in Pune, where he claimed three wickets. The England camp had raised concerns, claiming he was not a suitable replacement for Dube, a batter who bowls occasional spin. Fortunately, Rana's ODI debut proceeded without any such controversies.
