If you are a cricket lover, you definitely have heard of Harshit Rana last year. He’s just 23 years old now and the boy has become a celebrity. He has just turned out from being a local player to the very first in-line player in an IPL-winning team of KKR in 2024, which suddenly becomes the next entry for international cricket across all three formats within a few months hence. Fans seem to dig his aggression with pace and will probably be quite interested in knowing his profile differences from that of others in terms of IPL career and height.
With Rana now the mainstay of the squad for India competing at the ICC Champions Trophy of 2025, the spotlight has a larger magnitude on him. So, what makes him an exceptional talent? How did he take such a rapid rise in Indian cricket? How did KKR, Gautam Gambhir, and Delhi cricket help him evolve into this cricketer?
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Let’s delve now into the extraordinary journey of Harshit Rana.
Early life and background
Harshit Pradeep Rana, a promising cricketer, is from New Delhi, India, born on December 22, 2001. He was endowed with talent, willpower, and a keenness to make it great in life. Standing at a towering 6 feet 1 inches (185 cm), he had all the traits to be a fast bowler, but it is a little difficult to make it in Indian cricket. His father, Pradeep, was one of his biggest supporters, ensuring that his son never lost faith, even when things got tough. Sure tough they did get.
In his early years, Harshit was repeatedly overlooked in Delhi’s age-group cricket, and like any young athlete, he faced moments of doubt. But it was during these times that his personal coach, Amit Bhandari (former India and Delhi pacer), and later Gautam Gambhir, played instrumental roles shaping his mindset.
Despite Harshit couldn’t get recognition as a junior cricketer, Rana found inspiration thanks to fellow Delhi cricketer Nitish Rana (though they are not related). Their KKR-camaraderie would later become an integral part of his development, but those early days, Nitish served as an example of how persistence and performance could eventually open doors.
Rana may not have had a conventional path to the top, but when his opportunity came, he made sure he grabbed it with both hands.
Journey through domestic cricket
Like many Indian fast bowlers before him, Harshit Rana’s domestic cricket career played a pivotal role in his rise to prominence. But here’s what sets him apart — he made his IPL debut before playing senior domestic cricket. KKR saw something special in him before even Delhi selectors fully did.
His first major breakthrough came in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, where he made his first-class debut for Delhi and proved he was more than just a white-ball bowler. In five games, he scalped 21 wickets, instantly making a name for himself as one of the most exciting young pacers in domestic cricket.
His List A plus T20 cricket performances were equally impressive:
- Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A) – 22 wickets in 14 games, proving his worth for the 50-over format.
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20s) – 28 wickets in 25 games, establishing himself as a potent T20 bowler.
- Duleep Trophy (2023) – He smashed 122 off 86 balls from No. 9, proving he could wield the willow as well.
These performances fast-tracked him into the India A squad and set the stage for his international breakthrough.
But before he got there, he had unfinished business in the IPL.
IPL breakthrough with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Like many young men, Harshit’s dreams took flight in the IPL. His big break came thanks to IPL 2022, though with atypical manner: it was Nitish Rana who had actually advised him for KKR’s talent scouts. When Rasikh Salam got injured, Harshit was asked to play as a replacement. What looked to be a 5-minutes job now became an opportunity at the doorstep of a big IPL career. Further down in IPL 2024, however, the young cricketer had established himself as one of the very best bowlers for KKR.
2024 IPL Season – the year of Harshit Rana
- Matches: 13
- Wickets: 19 (joint-second highest for KKR)
- Best Bowling: 3/24
- Death overs economy rate: 9.85 (in a high-scoring tournament)
- Key Moment: Playing a crucial role in KKR’s IPL 2024 title victory.
He showed his skill by bowling in different match phases, leading to his selection for India in 2025. Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s mentor, became India’s head coach, aiding Rana’s quick progress to the national team.
But even without it, he had already proved he belonged.
International debut and rise to India’s senior team
T20I Debut – making history
Harshit Rana’s ascendance to India’s senior team began with an international debut, arguably even with the making of history. He made his T20I debut against England at Pune on January 31, 2025, as the first cricketer from India to be a “concussion substitute” for an injured Shivam Dube.
Most debutants feel the pressure, but Harshit thrives on it. He bowled fast, aggressive, with intent, grabbing 3 wickets for 33 runs — not bad for a guy thrown in at the deep end! That performance cemented his place in India’s T20 plans, proving he was no fluke.
ODI Debut – a statement performance
Proving to be as scintillating as the ODI debut-the match against England, on February 6, 2025, at Nagpur, where he struck early, bowled with heart, evident from the figures of 3/31, showing that he was more than a T20 specialist. He backed it up with another three-wicket haul against Bangladesh and continued his wicket-taking spree against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, quickly becoming India’s go-to bowler in the middle overs.
Test Debut – the big league
Rana had spent years stacked in India’s pace battery, but when the Test series against Australia cropped up, he was rewarded with his chance. November 2024 was the date of his Test debut. It happened at Perth and took two matches to claim four victims, showing some signs of what he could possibly do in the longest format of cricket.
Selection over Mohammed Siraj – was it justified?
Leading up to the Champions Trophy 2025, the biggest debate was over Harshit Rana versus Mohammed Siraj. Many felt it made no sense to pick an up-and-coming pacer over a seasoned campaigner like Siraj. But Harshit silenced the critics with performances that mattered — picking up crucial wickets when the team needed them most.
While Siraj’s numbers had started dipping, Rana’s ability to bowl with venom in the middle overs made him the perfect choice. His raw pace, variations, confidence made him an X-factor for India’s squad, proving that the selectors had made the right call.
Playing style and strengths
Bowling attributes
If there’s one thing that defines Harshit, it’s his relentless aggression. He’s not your typical line-and-length seamer — he’s an out-and-out hit-the-deck bowler who loves unsettling batters.
- Speed & Bounce: At 140+ km/h, Rana has the pace to trouble even the best in the world.
- Variations: Slower balls, cutters, yorkers — he’s got them all.
- Middle Overs Specialist: Unlike most pacers who shine with the new ball, Rana is a middle-overs enforcer, breaking partnerships when it matters most.
Batting potential
He can be described as a good bowler as well. In the 2023 Duleep Trophy, Rana appeared at No. 9, then smashed a stunning 122 off 86 balls, showing that he’s got the power game when needed. While he’s yet to translate that form into international cricket, it’s clear that he has the ability to add value with the bat.
Fielding and athleticism
Modern cricket demands athleticism, and Rana is no slouch on the field. Agile, quick, never afraid to put his body on the line, he’s a complete package.
Harshit Rana’s key stats and records
Numbers don’t lie, the cricketer’s stats speak for themselves. He’s been a consistent wicket-taker across all formats, making a mark early in his career.
- T20I Debut: 3/33 vs England
- ODI Best Figures: 3/31 vs Bangladesh
- IPL 2024: 19 wickets in 13 matches
- First-Class Career: 47 wickets in 12 matches
Career stats (as of 2025)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | Average |
| Tests | 2 | 4 | 3/48 | 4.51 | 50.75 |
| ODIs | 5 | 10 | 3/31 | 5.69 | 20.70 |
| T20Is | 1 | 3 | 3/33 | 8.25 | 11.00 |
| IPL | 21 | 25 | 3/24 | 9.05 | 23.24 |
| First-Class | 12 | 47 | 7/45 | 4.06 | 26.27 |
Harshit Rana’s relationship with Gautam Gambhir and Nitish Rana
If there’s one person Harshit credits for his success, it’s Gautam Gambhir. The former India opener, who played a pivotal role in KKR’s scouting system, saw potential in the young cricketer before most selectors did.
Mentorship under Gambhir
The moment Gambhir joined KKR as a mentor, Rana’s confidence reached sky high. The encouragement mattered a lot.
Harshit continued, “If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya’s presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset.”
When Gambhir was made head coach of India in 2025, it was only but natural he would continue to support Rana and boost Harshit’s confidence.
Bond with Nitish Rana
While Harshit and Nitish Rana aren’t related, their Delhi cricket connection and time together at KKR created a strong bond. Nitish recommended Harshit to KKR scouts, setting the wheels in motion for his IPL debut.
Major controversies and challenges
There are hurdles that every cricketer faces, and challenges have been an integral part of Rana’s journey. Early Injuries: As a young domestic cricketer, injuries were almost curtains. But rigorous training and mentoring by Amit Bhandari ensured that he made a strong comeback. As for the selection controversy Siraj Vs. Rana, it was made over Siraj for the Champions Trophy 2025, which threw up a myriad of debates in the world of cricket. But proving his worth by breaking important partnerships on the middle overs, Rana made his mark.
Achievements and areas for improvement
Harshit Ran most has already achieved a lot at this age, which includes:
- IPL 2024 champion playing with KKR.
- Debuted with India in every format over six months.
- Went on to play a huge role in India’s education at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- The fastest Indian to make debut as a ‘concussion substitute’ in T20Is.
- 50+ wickets in domestic plus franchise cricket.
Harshit has lots to achieve in his accomplishments and success.
For example, he needs to improve his ODIs and T20s economy rate, lower-order batting contributions working on Tests & First-Class consistency as well.
Future prospects: what’s next for Harshit Rana?
Harshit Rana’s career is just getting started, and the road ahead looks exciting.
- Can he become a T20 World Cup star in 2026? His ability to bowl in clutch situations makes him a valuable asset for shorter formats.
- Will he cement his place in India’s Test squad? His skill set suggests he could develop into a long-format bowler with the right experience.
- KKR’s role in his future – With KKR backing him, expect the cricketer to evolve into one of the premier IPL fast bowlers.
At the mere age of 23, Harshit Rana has already achieved what most fast bowlers would aspire to. His elevation from Delhi talent to the international platform, with KKR and Gautam Gambhir endorsing him, reflects his capacity to perform under pressure and his weight in taking wickets. He is, indeed, the future fans are eagerly waiting for.
FAQ
1. Who is Harshit Rana?
Harshit Rana is a rising Indian fast bowler known for his aggressive pace, ability to hit the deck hard, and knack for breaking crucial partnerships. He plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL and has already represented India in all three formats. With his rapid rise in international cricket, Rana has become one of the most exciting young pacers to watch.
2. How old is Harshit Rana?
Harshit Rana was born on December 22, 2001 and now he is 23 years old. Despite his young age, he has already built a reputation as a wicket-taker in both domestic and international cricket.
3. What is Harshit Rana’s height?
Harshit Rana stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm). His height has advantages, for example, it allows him to extract extra zip off the pitch.
4. When did Harshit Rana make his IPL debut?
Rana’s IPL debut happened in 2022 for KKR when he had to step in as a replacement player for the injured Rasikh Salam.
5. Is Harshit Rana related to Nitish Rana?
Despite sharing the same surname and playing together for Delhi and KKR, Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana are not brothers. However, they share a strong bond as teammates, and Nitish played a crucial role in recommending Harshit to KKR’s scouting team, which helped kickstart his IPL career.
6. What are Harshit Rana’s best bowling figures?
Harshit Rana has already produced some outstanding spells during his young career.
- Best First-Class Bowling Figures: 7/45 – a dominant display showcasing his red-ball potential.
- Best IPL Bowling Figures: 3/24 – proving he’s a game-changer in T20 cricket.
- Best ODI Bowling Figures: 3/31 – highlighting his ability to thrive in the 50-over format.
7. Who mentored Harshit Rana?
Rana has credited Gautam Gambhir and Amit Bhandari for shaping his career. Gambhir, first as KKR’s mentor and now as India’s head coach, has been a guiding force. He helped Rana to build more confidence and taught how to handle pressure at the highest level.
Another person who played a vital role during Harshit’s career is a former Delhi pacer, Bhandari. He helped the young cricketer to improve his bowling technique, especially when Rana was going to take part in the IPL.
8. Why was Harshit Rana selected over Siraj?
It was the biggest debate before Champions Trophy 2025 whether Harshit Rana or Mohammed Siraj should be included in India’s squad. Ultimately, Rana was chosen, and there’s several reasons for that.
First of all,Rana specializes in bowling in the middle overs, an area where India lacked penetration. Siraj, while really good with the new ball, could not offer enough impact in this part of the game.
The second reason is Rana’shigh level IPL 2024 performance and showings in India A tours.
Thirdly, Harshit’s ability to execute yorkers and slower balls made him a valuable asset for crunch moments.
9. What is Harshit Rana’s role in the Indian team?
He hits the deck hard in Tests, able to bowl long spells and get movement. In ODIs, he is a strike bowler in the middle overs, an area where India has struggled to find men to make an impact.
In T20s, he is an X-factor bowler to take crucial wickets in the power plays and at the death.
10. What are Harshit Rana’s IPL stats?
As of 2025, Harshit Rana has played 21 matches in the IPL, picking up 25 wickets at an average of 23.24.
- Best Figures: 3/24
- Economy Rate: 9.05 (in a high-scoring format!)
- Impact: Became KKR’s joint second-highest wicket-taker in 2024, helping them lift the IPL trophy.
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