Harshit Rana. (BCCI/IPL photo)

NEW DELHI: There is no international debut yet Harshit Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got a big boost ahead of it IPL 2025 mega auction as they can keep him at a relatively low price of just Rs 4 crore for next year’s Indian Premier League season.
Rana, despite showing potential as a fast bowler, remains uncapped as he was not available for selection in the third T20I as a result of a viral infection.
“Mr. Harshit Rana was unavailable for selection for the third T20I due to a viral infection and did not travel with the team to the stadium,” said a statement from BCCI just before the start of the series finale against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.

However, Rana’s bad luck seems to be going in KKR’s favor as it goes a long way in helping them secure his services at an affordable price, thus avoiding a war on higher bids.
His impressive domestic performances and contributions in previous IPL seasons make him a valuable asset to the team. Keeping him at this price could be a strategic move for KKR, allowing them to invest more in other key parts of the squad, while retaining Rana.
Rana, who took 19 wickets from 13 matches in KKR’s run to their third title, was set to make his international debut in the final match of the series. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, had suggested on Friday that the 22-year-old might earn his first cap.
“We try to expose as many boys as possible to international experience of what awaits us,” ten Doeschate said on the eve of the match.
“So someone like Harshit Rana, we’d like to give a game. And the plan originally was definitely to win the series and then try out a few new faces for the final game.”
As per the latest rules and regulations of the IPL Governing Council, uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 crore.
Rana has also been named as one of the traveling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home, but his international debut seems highly unlikely with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna also named among the reserves.