A MEMORABLE DEBUT FOR SPEEDSTER HARSHIT RANA

HARSHIT Rana was walking back to his bowling mark, staring into oblivion. On the first ball of his third over in one-day internationals—it was his debut in the format for India at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur—the pacer had been hit for a six by England opener Phil Salt: A top edge that flew over the ropes behind the keeper.

- GOMESH S

While Rana had already been hit for a couple of fours in his first over, he was about to receive a proper welcome to the ODI format. The next ball, a length delivery, Salt hit through the line to extra cover boundary. Rana, who rose to fame in the Indian Premier League, resorted to a slower ball and was slog-swept for a six. Another four and a six came as Rana was taken for 26 runs by Salt in that over. Three overs, 37/0. Not the kind of a start you would want to have on your ODI debut as a fast bowler. Even more so when you have been fast-tracked in the last eight months and have already played the other two formats for India. From making waves for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL last year to Test debut in Australia to a T20I debut as a concussion debut, the last year had been a bit of an upward curve for the Delhi pacer.