Sydney: Fast bowler Harshit Rana revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes moment involving India captain Shubman Gill and former skipper Rohit Sharma that led to Mitchell Owen’s dismissal in the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
During the 38th over of Australia’s innings, before bowling the fourth delivery, Gill suggested that Harshit place a slip. The pacer, however, declined. Rohit then intervened, insisting on keeping a first slip and positioned himself there. Remarkably, on the very next ball, Harshit delivered a hard-length delivery that found Owen’s outside edge — and Rohit safely pouched the catch. Seeing the dismissal, Harshit couldn’t help but feel relieved.
“The (Mitchell) Owen wicket — I’ll tell you something about that,” Harshit shared in a candid conversation with Washington Sundar in a BCCI video. “Before bowling to Owen, Shubman told me to keep a slip, and I said no. Then Rohit bhai said, ‘Keep the slip,’ so he went there himself — and the first ball went straight to him! I was like, thank God.”
Harshit made his international debut last year in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth, where he impressed with a three-wicket haul. Returning to Australia for the first time since that debut, the young pacer showcased greater maturity and control, finishing with an impressive 4/39 in 8.4 overs.
“It’s a blessed feeling,” he said. “I never thought I’d come back here again after making my debut a year ago. Last time, I was new, but now I knew exactly what lengths to bowl, and that made a big difference.”
Harshit’s fiery spell bundled Australia out for 236. In response, after captain Gill’s dismissal for 24, Rohit and Virat Kohli took charge, guiding India to a comfortable win. Rohit remained unbeaten on 121 off 125 balls, while Kohli anchored the chase with a fluent 74* off 81 — a statement performance from the veteran duo silencing critics questioning their future.
