Why Harshit Rana could be India’s next fear factor with the ball?

India’s home ODI series loss to New Zealand may sting, but Harshit Rana’s performances offered rare optimism. With pace, bounce and unexpected batting depth, the young fast bowler has emerged as a genuine all-round prospect for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.

Harshit Rana’s growing reputation isn’t just about handy runs at No. 8, it’s rooted in a bowling skill set that suits modern white-ball cricket, especially in pace-friendly conditions like South Africa.

1. Genuine Pace with Height Advantage

Rana consistently clocks 140 kmph+, and more importantly, does so with a high release point. This combination creates steep bounce rather than just raw speed. On hard surfaces, that extra bounce forces batters to play shots they wouldn’t attempt against shorter quicks — a key reason South African pitches could amplify his impact.

Bowlers who hurry batters off the pitch, not just through the air, are the most dangerous in ODI cricket.

2. New-Ball Threat: Early Damage Potential

In Indore, Rana showed he can strike early with the new ball, removing top-order batters before they settle. He doesn’t rely solely on swing; instead, he hits the deck hard and extracts seam movement and bounce — ideal traits against aggressive opening pairs.

This gives India an option to:

Attack upfront without defensive fields

Pair him with a control bowler at the other end

3. Middle-Overs Enforcer

Rana’s slower short ball emerged as a subtle weapon in the series. Unlike predictable bouncers, his variations grip and climb awkwardly, especially on used surfaces. In Vadodara, this tactic disrupted New Zealand’s momentum during the middle overs — a phase where India often struggle to take wickets.

This makes him valuable beyond the powerplay, not just a burst bowler.

4. Mental Toughness Under Pressure

Fast bowlers often fade when plans fail. Rana hasn’t. Even when his impact reduced with an older ball in Indore, he didn’t lose intensity or pace. That resilience — continuing to attack rather than going into survival mode — is what separates international-level quicks from domestic performers.

5. Batting Makes Him a Bowler Teams Can’t “See Off”

Perhaps his biggest bowling advantage is indirect: his batting.

Because Rana can bat:

Captains can keep attacking fields longer

He can be bowled in aggressive spells without fear of a long tail

Oppositions can’t simply “see out” his overs

A bowler who knows the team isn’t exposed if he concedes runs tends to bowl braver, more wicket-taking lines.

6. Ideal Fit for 2027 World Cup Conditions

With:

Less reliance on spin

Longer spells for fast bowlers

Importance of batting depth

Rana ticks a rare box for India: a fast bowler who strengthens team balance instead of compromising it — especially vital given the injury histories of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.