The all-rounder in India cricket team star Harshit Rana finally came alive in the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI as his cameo towards the end powered India to a 264-run total at the end of the innings. The Delhi bowler was under severe scrutiny after he was picked for both the ODIs and T20Is against Australia, with several former cricketers and a section of fans on social media accusing head coach Gautam Gambhir of bias. However, Rana seems to have repaid the faith of the selectors and the coach with a handy knock in Adelaide.
Harshit Rana responds to critics in style
Coming out to bat at number 9, Harshit finished with 24 runs to his name off 18 deliveries, having struck three fours. He struck two fours off Zampa’s bowling in the 47th over, giving India the much-needed boost in the death overs. Rana finished at a strike rate of 133.33, silencing his critics with a vital knock that saw India go past 250 runs.
Prior to the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI, Rana had been least effective with the bat, having scored just 14 runs in 5 matches. In terms of bowling, he has picked up 14 wickets so far, and went wicketless in the rain-hit 1st ODI in Perth.
India were asked to bat first after Shubman Gill lost the toss in Adelaide. After losing Gill and Virat Kohli (0) early in the innings, Rohit Sharma (73) and Shreyas Iyer (61) helped India recover with a 100+ run partnership. Axar Patel (44) played a handy knock to help India breach the 200-run mark before it was down to Harshit and Arshdeep Singh to power India past 260. While the southpaw was dismissed for 13 runs, Rana and Siraj stayed unbeaten at the end to guide India to a formidable 264-run total at the end of 50 overs.
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