Sanjay Manjrekar backs Harshit Rana to become a big star after IND vs ENG ODIs

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has put his weight behind Harshit Rana to become a big star after the conclusion of the ODI series against England. The lanky pacer made his ODI debut at Nagpur against Jos Buttler’s team and bagged three wickets.

Ergo, Rana became the first bowler to take three wickets on his ODI, T20I, and Test debut. Rana returned with figures of 3-53 on his ODI debut and registered 2-31 in the third ODI at Ahmedabad. The fast bowler from Delhi scalped six wickets in the three-match series at an average of 24.33.

Furthermore, Rana has been added to India’s Champions Trophy squad after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a lower back injury.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo, “It’s easy to get excited by recency. Harshit Rana, every time he has played recently for India in white-ball cricket, he has made an impression. He makes things happen. I just love his attitude and I won’t be surprised if this guy goes on to become a big bowling star for India because he is only scratching the surface of his own game at the moment.

“I just love his spirit and he’s got most things going for him. But, it should be Arshdeep Singh as the incumbent senior bowler. But, in the long run, Harshit Rana is going to make things a little difficult if Arshdeep has place only to be as the second pure seamer in the side, with Hardik Pandya as the third.

“Harshit Rana is going to seriously challenge him for that position. And Mohammed Siraj’s comeback becomes even more difficult because there’s lots to like about Harshit Rana,” the 59-year-old concluded.

Meanwhile, Harshit Rana had bagged 19 wickets in 13 matches of IPL 2024 and played a key role in taking KKR to glory.

India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on February 20.