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Harshit Rana, who is captaining the North Delhi Strikers in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL) season, feels that he has been able to prepare well for Asia Cup 2025 due to constantly participating in matches. The 23-year-old, who has only played one T20I in his career so far, was recently included in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming continental tournament by the selectors.
Rana joined the Indian squad for a brief time during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, but wasn't included in the playing XI. His last appearance in international cricket came during the Men in Blue's clash against Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Rana will definitely be eager to cement his place in India's T20I set-up by giving great performances with the ball in Asia Cup.
“It is not at all that I have become out of practice. In the last 20-25 days, I have played 12-13 T20 matches. So, my practice is completely on because DPL (Delhi Premier League) was going on, before that our team’s practice was going on. So that is a plus point for me that I am bowling well in the matches and overall performance has been good," Rana told PTI Videos.
Additionally, Rana is also excited to bowl alongside Jasprit Bumrah in Asia Cup, remarking that the latter helps in making things easy for the team and doesn't let the side's bowling unit get under pressure.
“I can’t tell you what Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) bhai brings to the table, playing with him is really special, he makes things easy for us. If he’s around, the pressure on us is minimal," Rana stated.
“I try to stay calm, it’s always pretty exciting to wear the India jersey and play…with kind of quality bowling unit we have right now is good. I try to give my best every time, not thinking much about the outcome," he added.
Rana's place in the playing XI is uncertain
Though Rana definitely is excited to feature for India in Asia Cup, it will be quite difficult for him to start ahead of the pace-trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya especially in important matches. Other than his single appearance in T20Is, Rana has played two Tests and five ODIs for the Men in Blue so far. He has taken a combined total of 17 scalps in international cricket and will be looking to increase his tally in the upcoming tournament.
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