Why India Should Not Drop Harshit Rana In 3rd Test Despite Adelaide Failure

Anurag Dasgupta

Why Harshit Rana shouldn't be dropped [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com]Why Harshit Rana shouldn't be dropped [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com]

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After an impressive showing in the first Test in Perth, a lot was expected of Indian seamer, Harshit Rana, but the pace bowler failed to live up to the expectations and had a horrendous game in Adelaide.

He utilised the bouncy conditions in Perth to perfection, but the KKR fast bowler couldn't adjust his lines and lengths in the Pink-Ball Test as Travis Head and other batters took him to the cleaners. Harshit was rattled by the beating as he conceded 86 runs in 16 overs, at an economy of 5.38.

There have been demands from fans and pundits to drop Harshit Rana from the playing XI for the Gabba Test, but that won't be a good idea, and here are the reasons why India should persist with him.

1) His hit the deck bowling will be useful at Gabba

Despite all the flaws that he had in the Adelaide Test, there is one thing that Harshit Rana does better than other Indian seamers, and that is to hit the deck hard. Gabba, Brisbane is known as one of the fastest surface in world cricket and the pitch will provide considerable bounce for the fast bowlers.

Harshit, just like he utilised the Perth surface could exploit the extra bounce to his advantage and could once again be India's X-factor with the ball in hand. Harshit bowls at a good pace and on the Gabba pitch, he could pepper the Aussies with short-pitch bowling to trouble them.

2) India doesn't have quality Harshit Rana replacement for Gabba Test

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be sure starters for the 3rd Test, and only Harshit's place is in danger. However, there is no other bowler in the team that could replace the KKR seamer.

Ironically, Akash Deep should have played over Harshit in the Pink-Ball Test, since he is a skiddy bowler and could have utilised the conditions better. However, at a bouncy surface like the Gabba, where there will be extra bounce, Akash Deep is not a good choice.

He doesn't have that pace to trouble the Australian batters and this is where Harshit will come ahead in the pecking order. Harshit will use the body line tactics against Australia and it might be what India needs to win the 3rd Test.