India’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana has shared how a simple piece of on-field advice from former captain Rohit Sharma helped him get a crucial breakthrough during India’s ODI series against Australia. Australia went on to win the three-match series 2–1, but Rana’s performance in the final game stood out.
Harshit Rana's performance against Australia
Rana finished the match with excellent figures of 4 for 39, a spell that helped quiet the criticism he had faced after being picked for the ODI squad.
At one stage, Australia were in a comfortable position at 183 for 3. Matt Renshaw scored his first ODI fifty, and the top order had made solid contributions. That’s when Rana turned the game around. His sharp bowling led to a collapse, with Australia losing seven wickets for just 53 runs and getting bowled out for 236. It proved to be the key moment in what became a dominant performance by India in that match.
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Harshit Rana on Rohit Sharma's advice
Speaking on a MensXP podcast, Rana recalled an interesting moment from the game and explained how Rohit’s input made a big difference. He said Shubman Gill had suggested placing a slip fielder, but Rana wasn’t convinced because he felt the ball wasn’t moving much. Rohit then walked up and asked why he didn’t want a slip. Rana admitted he didn’t have a strong reason and agreed to the change. On the very next ball, the batter was dismissed. Rohit then told him to keep a slip in place whenever a new batter arrived, regardless of who was leading the team.
“Shubman and I were out there, and he suggested I take a slip, but I wasn’t keen because the ball wasn’t doing much. Then Rohit bhai came over and asked why I didn’t want one. When he put it like that, I didn’t really have an answer, so I agreed. The very next ball, the batter got out. Rohit bhai then said, ‘From now on, whenever a new batter comes in, you will take a slip — whether I’m there or not’” said Harshit Rana
India vs Australia 3rd ODI
India’s strong bowling effort was backed up by an excellent batting display. Rohit followed his fighting 73 in Adelaide with a brilliant century, scoring 100 off 105 balls, his 33rd ODI hundred and ninth against Australia. Virat Kohli also returned to form, staying unbeaten on 74 in front of a full house in Sydney.