What Harshit Rana's non-participation in India vs Bangladesh T20I final means for KKR ahead of IPL mega auction | Cricket News

Hard rana. (BCCI/IPL photo)

NEW DELHI: No international debut yet Hard rana, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received a major boost IPL 2025 Mega auction as they can sign him at a relatively low price of just Rs 4 crore for next year's Indian Premier League season.
Although Rana showed potential as a fast bowler, he remains out of action as he was not available for selection in the third over T20I due to a viral infection.
“Mr Harshit Rana was not available for selection for the third T20I due to a viral infection and did not travel with the team to the stadium,” said a BCCI statement shortly before the start of the series finale against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.

However, Rana's bad luck seems to be working in KKR's favor as it will help them a lot in securing his services at an affordable price and avoid a higher bidding war.
His impressive domestic performances and contribution in previous IPL seasons make him a valuable addition to the team. Retaining him at this price could be a strategic move for KKR, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while retaining Rana.
Rana, who took 19 wickets from 13 matches during KKR's run to their third title, was all set to make his international debut in the final game of the series. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, indicated on Friday that the 22-year-old could play his first international match.
“We're trying to give as many guys as possible the international experience of what we're facing,” ten Doeschate said on the eve of the game.
“So we would like to give a game to someone like Harshit Rana. And certainly the original plan was to win the series and then try out some new faces for the final game.”
As per the latest rules and regulations of the IPL Governing Body, uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 Crore.
Rana has also been named as one of the traveling substitutes for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home, but his international debut seems highly unlikely as pace sensation Mayank Yadav and veteran seamer Prasidh Krishna are also among the substitutes.