Harshit Rana in line for Test debut as pitch talks take centre stage at Wankhede Stadium

Wankhede's pitch ahead of 3rd pitch and Harshit Rana
Wankhede’s pitch ahead of 3rd pitch and Harshit Rana (PC: Subhayan and X)

Subhayan Chakraborty in Mumbai

Delhi’s Harshit Rana is in line to make his Test debut in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Rana was quietly added to India’s squad for the third Test on Tuesday after he scored a 59 and picked up seven wickets in a Ranji Trophy match against Assam. Similarly to Washington Sundar in Pune, it could be Rana’s turn in Mumbai.

Under Gambhir’s mentorship at the Kolkata Knight Riders during IPL 2024, Rana impressed, securing 19 wickets, which played a key role in KKR’s success that season. His knack of extracting additional pace and bounce, particularly from a good length, distinguishes him from his peers. Rana was on the verge of a T20I debut against Bangladesh, but a viral infection delayed his international debut. The selection between a three-pace attack or two pacers with three spinners will dictate his inclusion, possibly leading to rest for Jasprit Bumrah or adjustments in the playing XI combination.

The Indian team faces a crucial decision regarding pitch conditions after losses on tracks favoring different bowling styles. After a batting debacle against pace in Bengaluru and spin in Pune, the likelihood leans towards a sporting wicket with even bounce, and the ball is unlikely to turn straight away as was the case in Pune.

The Wankhede pitch, known for its true bounce, might play into Rana’s strengths. He has that extra pace, hit-the-deck ability, can reverse the ball if conditions are suitable, change of pace, added with his batting ability down the order.

For the Latest Sports News: Click Here

Rana is also included in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he is expected to be part of the seam attack led by Bumrah, offering a chance for the coaching staff to evaluate him on the international stage.

The pitch in Pune, while not excessively turning, saw variable bounce influencing the game’s outcome, with spinners, especially New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, dominating. This trend of overseas spinners performing well on Indian pitches has been noted, and with Wankhede’s soil set to offer both spin and bounce, batters could face a stern test.

By Tuesday, the pitch at Wankhede showed some grass but was exposed to the sun. Generally, at the Wankhede, there is considerable movement in the morning session, more due to the sea breeze. The bouncy nature of the track also allows the batter to play without the fear of uneven bounce. However, from Day 2 onwards, the spinners are expected to slowly start dominating the game and they’ll be aided with both bounce and turn, a deadly combination. Further work on the pitch was scheduled for Wednesday.

Both India and New Zealand will train on Thursday with press conferences also scheduled.

Also Read: Change in IPL auction rules makes it even more of a spectacle

The post Harshit Rana in line for Test debut as pitch talks take centre stage at Wankhede Stadium appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intense fielding session, the highlight of India’s practice

Image
Indian team practicing on eve of their first match in the World Cup. (PC: Team RevSportz) “Ab Udar Marro!!” Harmanpreet Kaur said loudly after the fielding coach Munish Bali cracked a shot a little too hard, with the ball crossing the boundary rope straight down the ground, at the ICC Academy. Harmanpreet, the designated fielder at that position, attempted to pouch the catch, but to no avail. From her voice, it seemed like a mixture of sarcasm, alongside a light-hearted joke.  It so happened that the fielding coach smashed the next shot exactly where Harmanpreet had previously mentioned — a little more towards the long-off region. For a couple of seconds, one wondered whether Harmanpreet would grass that particular chance. However, an agile Harmanpreet dashed towards her left, dived forward and took an impressive catch. For a few minutes, she was lying on the ground, as the rest of her teammates cheered her. That particular effort capsulised Harmanpreet’s zest to improve her f...
Read more

Indian Women’s Cricket Team in Disarray: Lack of Consistency, Leadership, and Impactful Performances Raise Alarming Questions

Image
Indian Women’s Cricket Team. Source: BCCI Women (X) The Indian women’s cricket team finds itself in a troubling state since October 1, 2024, with performances in both T20Is and ODIs falling significantly short of expectations. Despite boasting experienced players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, the team has been plagued by inconsistency and questionable tactical decisions, exposing deep flaws in their approach. Batting Failures: A Clear Pattern of Underachievement In the four T20Is played during the T20 World Cup in Dubai, the openers managed just 172 runs at an average of 21.50 with a solitary fifty-run stand, highlighting a lack of foundation at the top. The middle order fared slightly better, contributing 286 runs at an average of 28.60, but these numbers are far from competitive at the international level. The story is no different in ODIs. In four matches, the openers scored 172 runs at an average of 21.50, while the middle orde...
Read more

The Rohit dilemma, and India’s preparation for Perth Test

Image
Rohit is still in India and is unlikely to play the Perth Test. (PC: X.com) On Saturday morning, a day after Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child, a baby boy, a story was doing the rounds that the India captain would be off to Australia by November 18 and would be available for the Perth Test.  A source in the know, however, told RevSportz that the Indian team was yet to receive any update on Rohit’s arrival Down Under. By evening, reports emerged that the skipper has decided to skip the series opener to spend some time with his family. He would be available from the second Test in Adelaide instead.  There’s no official word yet from the BCCI and the dilemma remains over Rohit’s availability in the series opener. With the first Test starting on November 22, the uncertainty might affect India’s preparation.  Purely from a cricketing point of view, it feels like Perth is a bridge too far for Rohit. Hypothetically, even if he decides to ...
Read more