Fri Feb 07 20:07:15 UTC 2025: ## Indian Pacer Harshit Rana Impresses in ODI Debut Against England
**Nagpur, India (February 7, 2025)** – India secured a convincing four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI of their series, with debutant pacer Harshit Rana delivering a standout performance that bodes well for the team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Rana, 23, took three wickets (7-1-53-3) in his first ODI appearance, showcasing impressive resilience after a challenging start. He conceded 37 runs in his first three overs but bounced back strongly, making crucial adjustments to his bowling strategy and dismissing key English batsmen Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone. His performance provides much-needed reassurance given the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness.
Other notable performances included Ravindra Jadeja’s return to ODI cricket with three wickets (3-26), and strong batting displays from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Mohammed Shami also bowled well, despite conceding runs in the powerplay.
However, concerns remain regarding captain Rohit Sharma’s continued poor form, marked by soft dismissals. Shreyas Iyer also revealed that he only played due to Virat Kohli’s late injury withdrawal, highlighting the team’s ongoing selection dilemmas and the potential for lineup changes once Kohli returns. The series presents India with a crucial opportunity to address these issues before the Champions Trophy.
First Piper 