New Delhi: Harshit Rana experienced a rollercoaster of a debut in the ongoing first ODI between India and England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. The fast bowler was handed a maiden ODI cap ahead of the series opener along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also made his 50-over debut today.
It was an emotional moment for both youngsters, who have already represented the country in T20I and Test cricket, during the cap handing ceremony in pre-match preparation of the team.
Both debutants combined brilliantly to get rid of Ben Duckett with Rana getting his maiden wicket courtesy of a sensational catch by Jaiswal. Rana bounced back after suffering a brutal assault in just his third over, when explosive opener Phil Salt smashed him for 26 runs in an over – three sixes and two fours – leaving the bowler in disbelief. However, Rana picked up two wickets in the space of four deliveries in his first over of the second spell, leaving England reeling at 77 for 3 in 10 overs.
Rana’s next victim was with the old ball as Liam Livingstone fell to a short-of-length delivery and managed to nick one behind.
Rana only Indian to bag three wickets on Test, ODI and T20I debut
Livingstone’s wicket helped Rana etch his name in history books as the pacer became the first Indian with at least 3 wickets on Test, ODI and T20I debut.
Rana made his Test debut in November 2023 against Australia in the opening Test at Perth and picked up three wickets in the first innings and one in the second. The Delhi fast bowler played his first T20I on January 31 in Pune and made a lot of headlines after controversially coming in as a like-for-like replacement as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube and ending with three wickets.
Meanwhile, India showed superb bowling discipline and brilliant fielding to restrict England to a below-par 248 despite half-centuries from Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell. Rana and Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) shared six wickets between them while Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a wicket each.
IND vs ENG 1st ODI: Harshit Rana made a superb comeback after suffering a brutal assault in just his third over, when explosive opener Phil Salt smashed him for 26 runs in an over. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
