Harshit Rana’s overconfidence backfires as he turns ‘Joker’ in 1st ODI vs New Zealand

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Harshit Rana S Overconfidence Backfires As He Turns Joker In 1st ODI Vs New Zealand

Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana’s overconfidence turned into an embarrassing moment during the opening match of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara, as he found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons on Sunday (January 11).

Harshit Rana’s overconfidence backfires spectacularly in the first IND vs NZ ODI

Indian pacer Harshit Rana learned a harsh lesson in instant karma during the first IND vs NZ ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, as his over-smartness was brutally punished by Will Young and Devon Conway within seconds.

This embarrassing moment perfectly summed up the fine line between confident aggression and costly overconfidence. The incident happened on the very first ball of the 24th over. Rana bowled a sharp delivery at close to 141.9 kmph, pitching just short of a good length.

Read Also: Sanjay Manjrekar shockingly claims Harshit Rana, not Jasprit Bumrah, makes India unbeatable in bowling

Conway played the ball straight back towards the bowler, and it looked like a simple chance to stop the run. Instead of making a safe and direct throw to the non-striker’s end, Rana tried to pull off a flashy no-look flick. The move completely backfired.

The Indian pacer’s throw went well wide of the stumps, missing the target by a big margin. Taking full advantage of the mistake, the New Zealand batters crossed over comfortably and collected an easy single in the ongoing first ODI match in Vadodara.

Harshit Rana silences doubters with a double blow

However, after his unnecessary attempt turned a simple situation into a talking point, Rana once again proved why he is being backed by the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. The young pacer used his variety well to make the breakthrough for the hosts.

Bowling from around the wicket, Rana pitched the ball a little fuller outside the off stump. The delivery moved back in slightly, and Conway went hard for a big drive. The shot proved costly, as Conway got an inside edge, and the ball crashed into the stumps.

Conway was dismissed for 56 from 67 balls as New Zealand slipped to 126 for 2 after 24 overs. Earlier, Rana tried something different, and it worked perfectly. In the 22nd over, the Delhi lad was under pressure as Henry Nicholls had just smashed him for two fours.

Read Also: Hindi vs Tamil! Sanjay Bangar, Varun Aaron involved in ugly on-air language row during IND vs NZ 1st ODI

Rana then surprised everyone with a slower ball, bowled wide and full like a yorker. Nicholls went for another big shot but only managed a thin edge. And wicketkeeper KL Rahul took a low catch behind the stumps as Nicholls was dismissed for 62 from 69 balls in Vadodara.

WV Raman sounds an injury alarm for Harshit Rana

Meanwhile, former India cricketer and former women’s coach WV Raman has raised a concern about Harshit Rana. Raman feels the young pacer could risk a lower-back injury if he does not improve the alignment of his delivery stride as soon as possible.

Raman wrote on X: “#Harshit needs to refine the alignment on his delivery stride soon. Else, he will run the risk of succumbing to a lower back injury. I will be delighted if I am proved wrong.”