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    “Team wants me to bat at No. 8 as an all-rounder” – Harshit Rana opens up on his role after 1st IND vs NZ 2026 ODI

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    Runfyers
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    Indian pacer Harshit Rana has admitted the team management wants to groom him as an all-rounder who can bat at the No. 8 position in ODIs. The youngster asserted that he is confident of performing the role for the team and stated that he is constantly working on his batting skills in the nets.

    Harshit made crucial contributions with both bat and ball as India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. He claimed 2-65 with the ball, dismissing both the well-set Kiwi openers – Henry Nicholls (62) and Devon Conway (56). In India’s chase of 301, he contributed 29 off 23 balls, hitting two fours and a six before being caught behind.

    Speaking at the post-match press conference, Harshit elaborated on his exact role in the team and explained that the management has certain expectations from him. The 24-year-old said:

    “The team wants me to bat at No. 8 as an all-rounder. I am trying to work hard on my batting as much as I can in the nets. It was about confidence, which KL bhai [Rahul] gave me out in the middle. I focused on the same and made runs.

    “I believe that I can score 30-40 runs batting down the order when the team needs it. The team environment is so good that everybody thinks positive. When the team environment is good, good things happen,” the right-arm pacer went on to add.

    With Washington Sundar struggling due to a side strain, Harshit came into bat ahead of the all-rounder. He added a game-defining 37 runs with KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 29 off 21 balls.

    “He is a free and aggressive captain” – Harshit Rana and Shubman Gill

    The first ODI against New Zealand also marked the comeback of skipper Shubman Gill, who missed the one-dayers against South Africa due to a neck injury. Asked about Gill‘s leadership style, Harshit praised him and said:

    “For me, he is a free and aggressive captain. If he has to take a decision, he thinks beforehand that he has to do that thing and then he doesn’t stress about it. I personally like that thing, to be a free captain is to give freedom to players to do what they want to do on the field. That is one of the best qualities I like about him.”

    Gill contributed 56 off 71 in India’s chase in Vadodara, while Shreyas Iyer, the other comeback man, made 49 off 47. Virat Kohli (93 off 91) yet again anchored the chase and was named Player of the Match.