IND vs ENG: 'What a Debut!' Harshit Rana shines with two wickets in an over after expensive start

In the first ODI between India and England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, fans were already disappointed as Virat Kohli was missing from the playing XI due to a knee injury. However, the stadium fell silent as England's openers, Philip Salt and Ben Duckett, dominated the Indian bowling attack, smashing the ball all around the park. In particular, it seemed like they were targeting debutant Harshit Rana. Fans also questioned why the bowler was receiving so many opportunities from the coach, having made his all-format debut in quick succession.

At one point, skipper Rohit Sharma brought in spinner Axar Patel to bowl an over, as Harshit had leaked 37 runs in just two overs (separated by a maiden over), proving to be expensive. However, just before the Powerplay ended, Rohit decided to give Harshit one more chance in the final over of the phase！and the pacer delivered. He dismissed Duckett (32 off 29) and, in the same over, sent back the newly arrived Harry Brook (0 off 3).

Harshit Rana's fine over

First, with a short-of-length delivery that bounced more than Duckett had anticipated, the batter got a top edge on the pull shot. Yashasvi Jaiswal made the impossible look effortless as he pulled off a stunning catch. He had to run a long way back from mid-wicket, keeping his eyes locked on the ball over his shoulders. Maintaining his speed, he timed his dive to perfection, pouching it cleanly with both hands！truly a fielder's wicket.

Excellent Run-out ?
Sensational Catch ?

Some fielding magic from #TeamIndia! ? ?

Follow The Match ?? https://t.co/lWBc7oPRcd#INDvENG | @ShreyasIyer15 | @ybj_19 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/lOp9r6URE4

！ BCCI (@BCCI) February 6, 2025

Later in the same over, Brook misread a hard-length delivery, thinking it was heading down leg for a fine tickle. Instead, the ball climbed steeply, catching his glove as he tried to get his hands out of the way. KL Rahul, with some neat glove work behind the stumps, moved swiftly to his left and grabbed it cleanly. This turned out to be a memorable debut for Harshit Rana.

Fan reaction

Many cricket fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to praise the fast bowler, but also slam the England batting unit who are "scared" of a debutant bowler. Some even stated this is a very good debut for the bowler.

Well Debut Harshit Rana !!!!!!!! ?? #INDvsENG #INDvENGonJioStar #INDvsENGODI #HarshitRana

！ Rutu's CSK (@cricxnewss) February 6, 2025

One said, "Another one goes, Brookey's time in India gets worse with the bat.....good catch by Rahul and a good comeback over by Harshit Rana"

Another one goes, Brookey's time in India gets worse with the bat.....good catch by Rahul and a good comeback over by Harshit Rana ???? #INDvsENG

！ Sanskar Gemawat (@thatSanskariGuy) February 6, 2025

Another added, "yeh goro ko pakistan ke against hi khilwao bhai inki toh harshit rana se fatt rhi hai"

yeh goro ko pakistan ke against hi khilwao bhai inki toh harshit rana se fatt rhi hai

！ ansh (@anshhffs) February 6, 2025

One wrote, "Smog? Harshit Rana redemption"

Smog? Harshit Rana redemption ???#INDvsENG

！ OVIJIT (@BingoGamet56531) February 6, 2025

About IND vs ENG

After 19 overs, England was 111/4, with Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell at the crease. India will be looking to get the danger men out quickly. Philip Salt, who was in fine form, was the first to depart after being run out for 43 off 26 balls. As for Joe Root, Ravindra Jadeja got the batter's wicket for the fourth time in ODIs.

IND vs ENG: Teams:

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami

England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Philip Salt(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood