Want for pace: Pacer Harshit’s efficiency, particularly with the uncertainty over Bumrah’s availability, bodes properly for the Males in Blue.
| Photograph Credit score: DEEPAK KR
The continuing ODI collection is India’s final likelihood to get its home so as forward of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Whereas the convincing four-wicket win within the opening fixture right here gave some optimistic cues, a number of extra items of the puzzle stay to be solved.
At a time when the Indian staff and followers are sweating over Jasprit Bumrah’s health and availability for the ICC occasion, it was crucial that somebody like Harshit Rana obtained match follow to offer the administration an choice in case the previous doesn’t recuperate in time.
The 23-year-old pacer has had a dream run in the previous couple of months, beginning along with his Take a look at debut in Australia in November, adopted by his maiden T20I look per week in the past. On Thursday, he accomplished his assortment of worldwide caps when he made his ODI debut on the VCA Stadium and gave account of himself.
He struck thrice (7-1-53-3) and helped limit England to a modest rating earlier than the batters chased down the goal simply.
Greater than the wickets, what was extra heartening was the way in which he bounced again strongly after being taken for 37 runs in his first three overs.
“There are all the time ups and downs in cricket. I solely wished to concentrate on my size, bowl the place I’ve to, and I obtained rewarded later,” stated Harshit when requested about being taken for 26 runs in an over by Phil Salt. However the Delhi pacer made the requisite changes in his second spell and bent his again to hassle Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone with further bounce.
“You’ll be able to say that it was deliberate. Earlier, I wished to set him up by bowling a bit full, after which I bowled quick supply and obtained the reward,” Harshit added in regards to the Brook dismissal.
These are nonetheless early days for Harshit, and there will probably be more durable challenges forward, however for now, he and the staff will probably be happy with the beginning.
Apart from Harshit, Ravindra Jadeja (three for 26) too was spectacular in his first ODI since November 2023, whereas Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill seemed serene.
India’s Mohammed Shami in motion throughout the first ODI match in opposition to England, at Vidarbha Cricket Affiliation Stadium in Nagpur, on Thursday, Feb. 06, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
DEEPAK KR
Mohammed Shami additionally appeared in good rhythm, beating the perimeters regardless of going for some runs within the PowerPlay. He hurried the batters with tempo and bounce in his second spell earlier than cleansing up Brydon Carse.
On the similar time, there are nonetheless areas of fear, chief amongst them being Rohit Sharma’s poor type. The skipper’s mode of soppy dismissals indicators an rising sample of concern and has solely two extra probabilities to repair it.
Extra curiously, Shreyas claimed that if not for Virat Kohli’s last-minute harm, he might need sat out for Yashasvi Jaiswal. The teaching set-up prefers to have a mixture of left-and-right-handed batters, and it stays to be seen if they are going to pursue this transferring ahead and push the likes of Gill and Kohli one slot down. And now that Shreyas has made runs, it will likely be fascinating to see who will make manner when Kohli returns?
Revealed – February 07, 2025 11:07 pm IST
