Former India batter WV Raman has advised Harshit Rana to improve his delivery stride amid the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand. Raman reckons Rana has the risk of succumbing to a lower back injury if he doesn’t refine this alignment.

Meanwhile, Rana returned with figures of 2-65 in the 10 overs he bowled against the Kiwis in the opening ODI at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on Sunday. The fast bowler from Delhi accounted for New Zealand openers – Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway.

The Blackcaps’ openers had added 117 runs for the opening alliance but Rana was able to provide a double breakthrough after Shubman Gill decided to field first.

“#Harshit needs to refine the alignment on his delivery stride soon. Else, he will run the risk of succumbing to a lower back injury. I will be delighted if I am proved wrong,” WV Raman posted on X.

Earlier in his career, Rana had suffered a stress fracture in his lower back. However, he hasn’t been troubled by any injury woes in the recent past and has performed consistently for the national team.

“It was just before Covid. During the lockdown, he was doing gym sessions at home and it kind of escalated his injury. In September 2020, we went to Dr Saif in Gurugram. After the MRI, he told us Harshit has broken his back. In the MRI, one can clearly see it. He was bedridden for six months,” Harshit Rana’s father had told Indian Express in an interview after his Test debut.

Meanwhile, Rana scalped four wickets in three matches against South Africa at an average of 44.75. He bagged two wickets in the solitary T20I he played against the Proteas.

Rana is also part of India’s T20 World Cup squad, and he would look to carry the good show.