Harshit Rana urged to bowl at 150 kph to secure spot in Indian team: 'At 125, not even a local club will consider you'

After just two Test matches, Harshit Rana has gotten a taste of what it means to play at the highest level of cricket. His debut in Perth was nothing short of spectacular, as he took three crucial wickets in the first innings. The young bowler showed immense talent and potential, further highlighted by his impressive performance in the practice match. However, the rollercoaster ride of Test cricket quickly became apparent to Rana in Adelaide. The day-night Test proved to be challenging, with India struggling against the pink ball and Rana failing to make an impact, conceding 86 runs without a wicket to show for it. As Australia stormed to a 10-wicket victory, Rana learned firsthand how quickly fortunes can change in the unforgiving world of Test cricket.

As the team returns to the traditional red-ball Test matches in five days, with Brisbane hosting the third Test of the series, Harshit may no longer be an automatic inclusion. Amid reports that Mohammed Shami is set to return and Akash Deep waiting in the winds, Harshit may or may not get the axe. Irrespective, as the youngster faces an early uncertainty in his career, Rana can do with a piece of advice his father gave him.

"I have challenged him to bowl 150 kph. I have told him I will consider you a player the day you touch 150 kph," Pradeep Rana, Harshit's father and a former hammer thrower and weightlifter for CRPF, told Indian Express. "If you bowl 150 kph, no one will stop you from playing for India, but if you will bowl 125 kph, even a local club will not select you."

Harshit is just 22. With time, his muscles will grow, and the pace will increase. But Harshit knows that the competition is stiff. The likes of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan too are waiting to get a taste of Test cricket. Harshit has all the makings of a fierce fast bowler. His flying kisses to batters during the IPL landed him a suspension, and his exchange with former KKR teammate Mitchell Starc during the Perth Test made headlines, but all that would lead to nothing if Harshit doesn't crank it up.

India require a tearaway pacer. Shami and Siraj are good, but ever since Umran Malik faded, the need for a fast bowler who can regularly bowl in the late 140s is an asset in SENA nations. In Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, India still have their top three sorted, but when even one of them starts losing steam, one of Arshdeep, Harshit, Avesh would be next in line. Oh, and then there's Yash Dayal, who has been fast-tracked into the Indian Test set-up.

Harshit is currently bowling in the late-120s and mid-130s, but that's only job half done. On Australian pitches, especially, anything less than 140-142 may not be enough. He was assisted by the wicket at Perth, then not so much in Adelaide. If given a chance, Brisbane could be Harshit's final opportunity to keep his India Test dream alive.