Gautam Gambhir's 'IPL Retention' Verdict On Rumours Of Harshit Rana Playing 3rd Test vs New Zealand

31.10.2024 - 11:43 sports.ndtv.com

India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday confirmed that uncapped seamer Harshit Rana will not take part in the upcoming third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai.

According to a report by ESPN on Tuesday, Harshit Rana was added to the India squad for the third Test match against New Zealand.

However, India's coach cleared the rumours ahead of the third Test. Harshit Rana has been with India's white-ball teams ever since a breakout Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2024 with champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in which the pacer took 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 in 13 matches.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gambhir said that Rana has not been included in the Test squad. The India head coach added that the 22-year-old has come to Mumbai to work with bowling coach Morne Morkel and prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy.

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India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday pointed out reasons for recent trend of teams losing at home in Tests and said that it is because of the pressure of the World Test Championship (WTC) points. India will be looking to saving their pride as they take on Kiwis in the third Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. With the hosts being 0-2 down in the three-match series and having endured their first series loss in Tests at home in 12 years, they will be aiming to play out of their skins in order to avoid an embarassing whitewash.

Jasprit Bumrah To Miss 3rd Test vs New Zealand. Report Reveals Reason

Indian cricket team fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will not play in the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai starting Friday, according to a report by Indian Express. India are already trailing 0-2 in the three-match Test series and the report stated that the team management are looking to 'rest' Bumrah for the upcoming Australia tour. Indian cricketers are expected to fly to Australia on November 10 for the five-match series and Bumrah will be joining the team at that point. According to the report, he has already flown back home to Ahmedabad. In the absence of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj is expected to play.

"Not Going To Sugarcoat...": Gautam Gambhir's 'Hurting' Message Ahead Of 3rd Test vs New Zealand

India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday doesn't want to blame the batters only for the debacle against the visiting New Zealand side, saying that every player has the responsibility towards the team. India crashed to their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years after losing the second Test by 113 runs in Pune on October 26. The hosts had lost the first Test by eight wickets in Bengaluru. In three of the four innings, the team totals were 46, 156 and 245 with batters struggling against both swing and spin. "Everyone has the responsibility, I cannot say just the batters have let us down," Gambhir said at the press conference ahead of the third Test from Friday.

'State Of Urgency' In Rohit Sharma And Co's Training As They Look To Avoid Clean Sweep By New Zealand

Unexpectedly fallen behind 0-2 in a home series, the Indian team has adopted some desperate measures to improve its batters' outing against spot-on New Zealand bowlers, especially the spinners, as talks about a rank-turner for the third Test here has dominated the pre-match talks. The net session at the Wankhede Stadium reflected the state of urgency the team management is in ahead of the final Test beginning on Friday, as even veteran batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have found the going tough in this rubber.

IPL Winning Pacer To Debut As India Take Drastic Step For 3rd Test vs New Zealand: Report

Delhi seamer Harshit Rana's promising domestic season took an exciting turn on Tuesday as he was called up to join India's squad for the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, sources say. The 22-year-old Delhi fast bowler, who impressed in the ongoing season with both ball and bat, is likely to make his Test debut on Friday. He is set to miss the round four matches for Delhi and will be leaving for Mumbai on Tuesday evening. The young pacer's call-up to the Test squad marks another step in what has been a rapid ascent in India's domestic scene. A day before India's recent series loss to New Zealand in Pune, he was also named in the 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Kane Williamson To Miss 3rd Test Against India; To Be Fit For Home Series Against England

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson will not be travelling to Mumbai for the third and final Test against India as he continues to recover from his groin injury and ensure full fitness for the upcoming home Test series against England. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) issued a fitness update on Williamson, saying, "Kane Williamson will not travel to India for the third Test in Mumbai to ensure he is fit for the upcoming three-Test series against England." "A cautious approach will instead be taken which will see Williamson continue his groin injury rehabilitation in New Zealand ahead of the first England Test starting at Hagley Oval on November 28." he added.