India plans to release KKR star Harshit Rana from Squad vs New Zealand to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi

Pace bowler Harshit Rana will be released by India to play for Delhi in the side’s upcoming Ranji Trophy game, according to reports. Originally a traveling reserve with the Indian Test team hosting New Zealand in a three-match series, Harshit Rana will reportedly be allowed to leave the national setup to help Delhi in their Ranji Trophy match against Assam. After the unavailability of Navdeep Sainithe Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has requested Harshit’s services.

Saini was named in the India A squad that toured Australia, making him unavailable for the next Ranji match in Delhi. With Harshit Rana not playing the second Test against New Zealand, he may represent Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, reports Times of India. Delhi will take on Assam at the Arun Jaitley Stadium from Saturday, October 26.

Harshit joins Nitish Kumar Reddy as traveling reserves released by India to play for their Ranji side. Reddy was released to play for Andhra against Gujarat. Harshit previously played nine first-class matches and picked up 36 wickets. He even scored a century with the bat.

Harshit was a regular part of the India line-up in all three formats after India’s arrival Gautam Gambhir as head coach, who also guided him at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2024. However, he is set to make his debut in any format for India.

As this confirms that Rana will not make his debut for India before October 31, it gives Kolkata Knight Riders the opportunity to retain him as an uncapped player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. An uncapped player can be retained for as little as Rs 4 crore.

Rana was a crucial cog for KKR as they won the IPL title for the third time in 2024. He took 19 wickets and finished among the five highest wicket-takers.