'He Will Make A Difference': Dinesh Karthik Wants KKR Star In Indian Team For Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is very impressed with young Indian pacer Harshit Rana, and he has reserved big praise for Kolkata Knight Riders star by calling him a very skilled bowler. According to Karthik, the 22-year-old Delhi-based fast bowler, who made headlines for his super show in the IPL 2024 for Shreyas Iyer-led side, should be in flight to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 as he can make a big difference there.

“Harshit Rana. He’s got special skills; he’s got good backspin on the ball, kisses of the pitch; he’s a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia. I think he will make a difference there,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show when asked about which bowler has impressed him in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024.

The 39-year-old cricketer from Tamil Nadu, who last played for India in the T20 World Cup 2022, also felt that Rana could have been picked for the first Test against Bangladesh as well, which starts on Thursday (September 19) in Chennai.

“I am very satisfied (with the India squad). I just thought, could there be a chance for Harshit Rana? I thought he bowled very well; something very special about him, that’s all, but they (India) already have 4 medium pacers and good medium pacers, so well done, good team,” he said.

Harshit picked up 19 wickets in 13 matches of IPL 2024 for KKR to finish as the joint fourth leading wicket-taker. He earned his maiden India call-up in July when he was included in India’s squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 6 and 7 under Shubman Gill’s leadership. His maiden ODI call-up was for a three-match series against Sri Lanka in August 2024, but there as well he didn’t get a chance to play in any of the three matches.

Performance in Duleep Trophy 2024

Harshit was named in the India D team, which is led by Shreyas Iyer, for the Duleep Trophy 2024, and the youngster has impressed with his performance in the first two matches. He picked up four wickets in the first match against India C and then got rid of four India A batters in the second match, which was played in Anantapur last week.