Harshit Rana. (BCCI/IPL Photo)
NEW DELHI: With no international debut yet for Harshit Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got a major boost ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction as they can retain him at a relatively low cost of just Rs 4 crore for the next year’s Indian Premier League season.
Rana, despite showing potential as a fast bowler, remains uncapped as he was not available for the selection in the third T20I due to a viral infection.
“Mr. Harshit Rana was unavailable for selection for the third T20I due to a viral infection and did not travel with the team to the stadium,” read a BCCI statement just ahead of the start of the series final against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.
However, Rana’s bad luck seems to go in KKR’s favour as it helps them in a big way in securing his services at an affordable price, avoiding a higher bidding war.
His impressive domestic performances and contribution in previous IPL seasons make him a valuable asset for the team. Retaining him at this price could be a strategic move for KKR, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while keeping Rana.
Rana, who took 19 wickets from 13 games in KKR’s run to their third title, was poised to make his international debut in the series’ last match. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, had suggested on Friday that the 22-year-old might earn his first cap.
“We are trying to expose as many guys as we can to international experience with what we have got coming up,” ten Doeschate said on the eve of the game.
“So someone like Harshit Rana we are keen to give a game to. And certainly the plan originally was to win the series and then try a few new faces for the last game.”
As per the latest rules and regulations issued by the IPL Governing Council, uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 crore.
Rana has also been named as one of the travelling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home, but his international debut looks highly unlikely with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna being also named among the reserves.