Sydney, Oct 25 (UNI) Harshit Rana, the young Indian pacer, stole the spotlight at the Sydney Cricket Ground today in the third ODI of India’s tour of Australia, dismantling the Australian batting lineup with four crucial wickets to help bowl them out for 236 in 46.4 overs, leaving India with a competitive target of 237 and setting the stage for a gripping chase.
It was the kind of spell that legends are built on. Under pressure and facing naysayers, Rana’s bowling was precise, aggressive, and brilliantly timed. He struck first with the wicket of Alex Carey, a miscue leading to a brilliant running catch by Shreyas Iyer.
Mitchell Owen fell soon after, edging to Rohit Sharma at slip, and Cooper Connolly’s lofted drive was perfectly plucked by Virat Kohli at long-off.
The final flourish was a sensational yorker to Josh Hazlewood, who backed away too late and saw the bails shattered, a fitting end to a spell that had Australia reeling.
Earlier, Australia had made a lively start. Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh looked in promising touch. Head’s brisk 29 was ended by Mohammed Siraj, while Marsh’s 41 ended at the hands of Axar Patel, the ball sneaking past his inside edge.
Matthew Short (30) and Matt Renshaw (56) tried to steady the ship, with Renshaw reaching a maiden ODI fifty, but Washington Sundar’s clever variations ensured no partnership lasted too long.
Kuldeep Yadav sent back Mitchell Starc, Prasidh Krishna accounted for Nathan Ellis, and together with Siraj, Axar Patel, and Rana, India’s bowlers ensured the Aussies never crossed the 240 mark.
Rana’s performance is more than just statistics, it’s a statement. In a match where the pressure was high, the young pacer emerged like a seasoned campaigner. The target of 237 now looms, and with the chase underway shortly, the SCG is set for a battle that promises fireworks.
Australia 236 all out (46.4 overs); Matt Renshaw 56, Mitchell Marsh 41, Mathew Short 30, Travis Head 29; Harshit Rana 4/39, Washington Sundar 2/44, Kuldeep Yadav 1/50, Axar Patel 1/18, Mohammed Siraj 1/24, Prasidh Krishna 1/52
