Harvik DesaiBandicoot Ltd2023-07-26T21:09:53+01:00
| Date of Birth | 04/10/1999 |
| Age | 23 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Player Status | Available |
| Playing Role | Wicket-Keeper |
| Bowling Style | N/A |
| Batting Style | RH Opening Bat |
| Entry Route | International Sportsperson Visa |
| Major Teams | India U19s, Saurashtra |
Harvik Desai is a sensational prospect playing for the star-studded, and current Ranji Trophy holders, Saurashtra. An opening batter who keeps wicket, Desai was destined for the big stage, and he's not disappointed to date.
A schoolboy prodigy, Desai churned runs for fun through the age groups, dominating the run charts in the various Indian tournaments. From the CK Nayudu to the Vijay Merchant, Vinoo Mankad, and Cooch Behar Trophy’s, he excelled. After averaging 118.50 during the latter’s 2016/17 tournament, he would earn Indian Under-19 selection and would go on to rack up runs aplenty.
Desai would be one of the stars of India’s victorious ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign (Jan/Feb 2018), guiding his side to the title (47* from 61 balls) in the final against Australia. He averaged 58.50 throughout the tournament, finishing fourth on India’s run charts behind Shubham Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Manjot Kalra.
Desai entered the tournament in form having already churned runs against England Under-19s in both youth Test (136 runs at 45.33) and ODI (117 runs at 58.50) matches the previous year (2017).
Roll on the 2018/19 season and Desai would make his Saurashtra debut in Ranji Trophy cricket. He would go on to score a century on his way to 781 runs at 37.19 during his maiden campaign which saw his side finish as losing finalists to Wasim Jaffer’s Vidarbha side.
Saurashtra, though, with Jaydev Unadkat at the helm, in a side that also featured Cheteshwar Pujara, would go one better in 2019/20 and beat Bengal in the Ranji Trophy final with Desai contributing notable scores of 38 and 21 (March 2020).
Unfortunately, COVID would strike to hamper Desai’s progress, but he has subsequently returned to the domestic fold where he left off, racking up 203 runs, including his maiden century (101*) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A). He would then go on to score 212 runs at 42.40 during the 2021/22 Ranji Trophy followed by another 440 runs at 44, with 2 further centuries during the 2022 List A edition.
Roll on the 2022/23 summer, and Saurashtra were at it again, dominating first-class cricket to win yet another Ranji Trophy title. Desai has instrumental in their success hitting 3 centuries amongst 634 runs at 37.29, including a 50 in the final against Bengal.
The youngster really is a stunning prospect – one who seems destined for full international honours. For now, though, the former Indian Under-19 star is looking to embark on a debut UK summer in 2024, following his 2023/24 domestic season.
There are no overseas stats available for this player.
| Date of Birth | 04/10/1999 |
| Age | 23 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Player Status | Available |
| Playing Role | Wicket-Keeper |
| Player Status | Available |
| Bowling Style | N/A |
| Batting Style | RH Opening Bat |
| Entry Route | International Sportsperson Visa |
| Major Teams | India U19s, Saurashtra |
Harvik Desai is a sensational prospect playing for the star-studded, and current Ranji Trophy holders, Saurashtra. An opening batter who keeps wicket, Desai was destined for the big stage, and he's not disappointed to date.
A schoolboy prodigy, Desai churned runs for fun through the age groups, dominating the run charts in the various Indian tournaments. From the CK Nayudu to the Vijay Merchant, Vinoo Mankad, and Cooch Behar Trophy’s, he excelled. After averaging 118.50 during the latter’s 2016/17 tournament, he would earn Indian Under-19 selection and would go on to rack up runs aplenty.
Desai would be one of the stars of India’s victorious ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign (Jan/Feb 2018), guiding his side to the title (47* from 61 balls) in the final against Australia. He averaged 58.50 throughout the tournament, finishing fourth on India’s run charts behind Shubham Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Manjot Kalra.
Desai entered the tournament in form having already churned runs against England Under-19s in both youth Test (136 runs at 45.33) and ODI (117 runs at 58.50) matches the previous year (2017).
Roll on the 2018/19 season and Desai would make his Saurashtra debut in Ranji Trophy cricket. He would go on to score a century on his way to 781 runs at 37.19 during his maiden campaign which saw his side finish as losing finalists to Wasim Jaffer’s Vidarbha side.
Saurashtra, though, with Jaydev Unadkat at the helm, in a side that also featured Cheteshwar Pujara, would go one better in 2019/20 and beat Bengal in the Ranji Trophy final with Desai contributing notable scores of 38 and 21 (March 2020).
Unfortunately, COVID would strike to hamper Desai’s progress, but he has subsequently returned to the domestic fold where he left off, racking up 203 runs, including his maiden century (101*) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A). He would then go on to score 212 runs at 42.40 during the 2021/22 Ranji Trophy followed by another 440 runs at 44, with 2 further centuries during the 2022 List A edition.
Roll on the 2022/23 summer, and Saurashtra were at it again, dominating first-class cricket to win yet another Ranji Trophy title. Desai has instrumental in their success hitting 3 centuries amongst 634 runs at 37.29, including a 50 in the final against Bengal.
The youngster really is a stunning prospect – one who seems destined for full international honours. For now, though, the former Indian Under-19 star is looking to embark on a debut UK summer in 2024, following his 2023/24 domestic season.
There are no overseas stats available for this player.
