India's ODI series against Australia concluded on a high, with the crucial partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli guiding the team to a crushing nine-wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, it wasn't just the batting unit that shone, bowler Harshit Rana delivered a top-notch performance, grabbing four wickets. This brilliant showing was a resounding answer to the growing criticism he had faced after struggling in the first two games of the series.
Harshit Rana on Rohit Sharma's key advice
Rohit, who is well-known for his ability to uplift the spirits of players on the field, a trait he demonstrated again throughout the recently concluded series. Harshit Rana later opened up about his memorable performance. While discussing his wickets, he revealed his favorite dismissal and shared the specific advice he received from Rohit Sharma right before taking the wicket of Mitchell Owen.
"Mitch Owen, because I'll tell you a story. Shubman asked me if I wanted a slip, and I was like, 'No, I don't need a slip.' Then Rohit bhai was standing at cover, and he said, 'Hey, take the slip, let me go.' So I thought, 'Why not, Bhaiya, you go ahead.' And then I got the wicket and I was like, 'Thank you so much, Bhaiya,'" Harshit said during JioStar's 'Cricket Live' programme.
Harshit had been under considerable scrutiny due to his poor performance against Australia and in the series preceding it, yet the selectors maintained their faith in him for the squad. Following his successful, match-winning spell in the third ODI, Rana opened up about his turnaround. He revealed his game plan, explaining how he adapted to bowling with the new ball and also discussed his decision to introduce outswingers into his arsenal during that crucial third match.
The pacer's next assignment will be in the upcoming T20I series against Australia, which is set to begin on October 29. India will play a five-match series against the hosts before returning home. For this T20I series, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, with Shubman Gill named as his deputy.
"I felt my bowling rhythm was much better today. In the beginning, I was not trying to attack; I was just trying to bowl in the right areas. I didn't get wickets early on, but that was part of my plan since I had the new ball. I was focused on line and length, and it worked. Talking about outswingers, that's something I have been developing, and I was happy to execute that well today," Harshit concluded.
India’s T20I squad for Australia series:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.