Early Life & Background
Harshit Pradeep Rana was born on December 22, 2001, in Ghevra on Delhi’s outskirts. His father, Pradeep, served with the CRPF and competed in hammer throw and weightlifting—a sports pedigree that inspired young Harshit to pursue athleticism. By age 10, Harshit had already begun formal cricket training under his father’s guidance, sharpening his pace and focus.
He attended Ganga International School, where coach Shravan Kumar recognized his raw talent and offered specialized coaching. Standing at 6 ft 2 in, Rana’s height and athletic background helped him generate significant pace, setting him apart among Delhi’s junior fast bowlers even in his early teens.
Personal Traits & Lifestyle
Harshit combines calm confidence with fierce competitiveness. While he seldom watches professional matches on TV since turning pro, he closely follows series abroad for inspiration. Transitioning from an injury-prone youth to a disciplined pro, he emphasizes hard training, work-life balance, and fitness discipline.
Known for his disciplined approach, Harshit follows structured training routines. He lost a striking 17 kg before India tour of Australia, dedicating himself to gym work, conditioning, and diet to meet international standards. He’s often described as humble, grounded, and driven—attributes echoed by both national and franchise coaches.
Personal Life
Harshit isn’t married and remains focused on his cricket career. His father, Pradeep, remains his primary mentor, investing emotionally and financially in Harshit’s growth. In interviews, he often cites his father as his strongest supporter: “Whatever I am today, it is because of my father”.
Though his mother’s presence in public media is less prominent, she’s acknowledged as a key emotional anchor. Harshit is also close to his older sister, though she keeps a private life away from the spotlight. The family lives in Ghevra, Delhi, and maintains a modest lifestyle grounded in cricket hopes and community tradition.
Outside cricket, Harshit enjoys simple time with family and teammates. He participates in KKR bonding sessions and keeps his social media light—mainly match updates, fitness posts, and gratitude messages to mentors. His close-knit social presence reflects maturity and emotional maturity.
Youth & Domestic Career
Early Age-Group Career
Harshit progressed through Delhi’s age-group categories from Under-14 to Under-19. Even then, coaches noticed his upright seam and bounce. His breakthrough in local academies led to a Delhi age-group cap, which eventually put him on BCCI’s radar.
Domestic Debuts
In November 2022, he debuted in List A for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Meghalaya. Soon after, in December 2022, he debuted in the Ranji Trophy versus Assam. These debuts marked his entry into professional domestic cricket, where he consistently bowled 140–145 km/h and took key wickets.
In early 2023, he claimed his maiden first-class century—122 not out off 86 balls during the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal, representing North Zone. This performance showed his all-round potential, not just as a bowler but a lower-order power-hitter.
Domestic Stats
By February 2025, Harshit had played 12 first-class matches, scored 476 runs at 34.00 average with one century, and took 47 wickets at 26.27 average, including two five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match. These stats highlight a balanced domestic player ready for bigger stages.
International Career
Harshit made his Test debut on November 22, 2024, against Australia in Perth – part of India’s 2024‑25 Border‑Gavaskar Trophy squad. In that match he claimed 3/48 and ended with four wickets in two Tests at a 50.75 average. Though figures weren’t spectacular, he gained valuable experience in tough Australian conditions.
His white-ball debut followed quickly:
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T20I debut on January 31, 2025, vs England in Pune, where he took 3/33 as concussion substitute.
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ODI debut followed on February 6, 2025, against England; he delivered 3/31 and totaled 10 wickets across five ODIs at a 20.70 average .
IPL Career
Harshit joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022, initially as a replacement for Rasikh Salam. He debuted on April 28, 2022, against Delhi Capitals, finishing with figures of 1/24.
Year-by-Year IPL Performance
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2022: Played 2 matches, bowled occasional overs, ended with 1 wicket at 51 avg; retained for 2023 mini-auction at base price ₹20 lakh .
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2023: 6 matches, 5 wickets, more exposure to pressure but less impact.
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2024: Breakthrough season: 13 matches, 19 wickets at 20.16 average, making him joint-fourth highest wicket-taker. Significantly contributed to KKR’s title-winning campaign.
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2025: Played 13 games, took 15 wickets at 29.87 average; also showed batting promise with 34 runs off 21 balls vs SRH. KKR retained him for ₹4 crore.
Fitness, Injuries & Comebacks
Harshit’s early career was marred by repeated injuries across multiple body parts—back, groin, calf, shoulder—prompting medical visits and alternate therapies. His father recalls sleepless nights worrying about his son’s future.
Success only came after a complete physical transformation ahead of the 2024 Australia tour. He lost 17 kg—dropping weight while maintaining pace—through intense training and nutritional discipline . This comeback allowed him to bowl long spells in tough conditions and regain confidence.
He continues to manage workload under team supervision, applying lessons from senior bowlers and trainers—including the BCCI’s sports science team . So far, no major injuries have recurred post-transformation, signaling both resilience and sustained fitness.