Harshit Rana Receives Rich Praise From Sanjay Manjrekar Despite Expensive Bowling In Debut ODI For India

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that newcomer Harshit Rana's economy against England in the opening ODI in Nagpur can be disregarded and that it is the effect he made with three key wickets in "many ways" securing the game for India that should be highlighted.

In the last seven days, the youthful seamer has put in hard work and made his T20I and ODI debuts for India. Harshit made his T20I debut as a concussion substitution for Shivam Dube and stunned England with his searing pace. He struck at vital moments and finished with match-winning scores of 3/33.

Phil Salt charged Harshit Rana initially

Unlike his T20I debut, Harshit's ODI career began on a disastrous note. The English batters pounded his overs, leaving him with 37 runs surrendered with the new ball in his first three powerplay innings.

But Harshit refused to give up without a struggle. He continued to play to his abilities, taking three crucial wickets for India, which helped India defeat England by 248 runs.

Harshit Rana got three crucial wickets: Sanjay Manjrekar overlooks his economy on debut ODI

The 23-year-old finished his seven-over burst with statistics of 3/53 and an economy rate of 7.60, the most costly in the Indian bowling unit.

Sanjay Manjrekar gave high praise to Harshit Rana and stated that despite his expensive ODI debut for India, it should be overlooked as the pacer from Delhi took three crucial wickets, and that was what important for team India.

"Its never really about economy. Harshit Rana was the most expensive Indian bowler, but he got three crucial wickets and in many ways, sealed the game for India to win at the halfway stage." Manjrekar wrote on X.

Its never really about economy. Harshit Rana was the most expensive Indian bowler, but he got three crucial wickets and in many ways, sealed the game for India to win at the halfway stage. #INDvsENG

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 7, 2025

Harshit impressed everyone with his performance in his ODI debut

Harshit Rana took three wickets of the England team. Before these wickets, Harshit appeared out of his depth when Philip Salt ruthlessly hammered him in the sixth over by tonking three sixes and two fours to take 26 runs from the over.

But Harshit took his first wicket, surprising Ben Duckett with a shorter ball, who top-edged it and was caught brilliantly by Yashasvi Jaiswal, running backward.

Harshit shouted in celebration of his second wicket after only two deliveries. His second victim was England's youthful sensation Harry Brook, who gloved it to KL Rahul for a three-ball duck.

Harshit, who has excelled in the death overs in T20Is, was assigned to bowl in the middle overs. His third and last scalp of the day was Liam Livingstone. The dynamic all-rounder gave in to his need to break free. In his endeavor to go huge, he lost shape and handed Rahul a significant advantage.

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