Harshit Rana has silenced his critics in epic fashion. From fans to the former chief selector, everyone was up in arms about the tall pacer’s selection for India’s tour of Australia. This was further fuelled by Harshit’s poor returns in Perth.
Harshit Rana silences critics
Although the Indian management didn’t pay heed to the unwarranted criticism, one can imagine that the 23-year-old might have been under some pressure. Then in Adelaide, Harshit made his bat talk and took 2 wickets. All in all, it was a successful outing.
And now, the pacer has ended the India vs Australia ODI series with a bang. By claiming a 4-wicket haul in Sydney, Harshit has silenced the naysayers. He bowled in all phases and took key wickets of Alex Carey, Mitchell Owen, and Cooper Connolly.
Rohit Sharma behind in-form Owen’s wicket
After India sealed the match, Harshit was asked about his spell. The fast bowler from Delhi picked the dismissal of Owen as his favourite. Not because it was his best ball of the day, but due to the uncharacteristic way he got the wicket.
Harshit revealed that India ODI captain Shubman Gill had urged him to take a slip since Australia had lost 2 wickets in the last couple of overs. One of these, Carey, was taken by Harshit himself. But the pacer refused.
Then Rohit Sharma interjected and told the 23-year-old to take a slip. Harshit agreed to his senior’s demand and voila, Owen edged the first ball he faced off the pacer to first slip. Gill then pointed towards him, as if saying, ‘I told you.’
“The wicket of Mitchell Owen was my favourite. There’s a story behind it. Shubman Gill asked me if I wanted a slip, and I refused. Then Rohit bhai, who was standing at cover, told me, ‘Slip le na, jaane de mereko’ (just take the slip; I’ll go and stand there). I agreed, and then in no time, the edge went straight to the slip to Rohit bhaiya! I was so thankful to him. He laughed and said, ‘I told you to take the slip!’ It was a memorable moment,” Harshit told JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’.
