Harshit Rana's selection a hint at his inclusion in 2027 WC? 3 IND stars who can be a better fit

Harshit Rana for India - (Source : Afp)

Gautam Gambhir is known for backing his players and giving them a long rope to prove their mettle on the international stage. While Gambhir's selection of Rinku Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy has paid off, Harshit Rana's inclusion has often got the head coach into trouble.

Rana had a great IPL 2024, which earned him an India call-up. Rana made his Test debut during 2024 BGT, but was dropped from the playing XI after just two matches. Further, he got a place in the T20I team, but is struggling to replicate his IPL success.

Despite his recent struggles and warming benches, as seen during Asia Cup 2025, Rana is somehow getting a place in the squad. Recently, Rana hogged the internet after he was selected for India's upcoming tour to Australia starting later this month. 

The fans were furious to see Rana getting a place in the team, whereas several deserving names, who have done better than him have failed to find one. It seems like that Gambhir has made up his mind that he will take Harshit as a back-up seamer for 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

If that is the case, then this article will analyse whether the right-arm seamer deserves it and who could be more fit than the KKR star to feature in India's upcoming series.

Harshit Rana's performance for India across formats

If we look at Rana's stats, then the right-arm seamer hasn't done extraordinary well in any of the formats that justifies his selection for ODIs. Further, let's look at how better bowlers than Rana were snubbed.

1. Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed is in some fine form and his brilliance with the ball helped him earn a T20I call-up last year following a great performance. Khaleel had a brilliant IPL than Harshit Rana and took 15 wickets in 14 innings. 

Further, Ahmed also shone in Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he took six wickets in innings. Tracking further back, his Ranji Trophy went amazingly well and took 16 wickets in 8 innings.

2. Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj is another India seamer who deserves to be in the mix for selection as the right-arm seamer is doing better than Harshit across all formats. Kamboj has taken five wickets in Irani Cup and had 8 wickets in eight games for CSK, where he was bowling alongside Khaleel Ahmed. 

The tournament to boast for him should have been Vijay Hazare Trophy where he took 17 wickets in 10 innings, which ideally should have been enough to be among the discussions for a ODI call-up.

3. Mukesh Kumar

Another deserving player is Mukesh Kumar. The Delhi Capitals' seamer had a great IPL where he took 12 wickets in 12 matches, but has suddenly disappeared from India's scheme of things. Not just IPL, but Kumar also proved his mettle in Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he took 13 wickets in six innings, also with an economy of 5.16.

Kumar was also brilliant with the ball during India A vs Australia A 2024 Tests, where he picked up 11 wickets in four innings. 

---

ALSO READ

CSK opener shown exit door; Key India stars who have fallen out of ODI plans under Gambhir

---