"It almost justified his selection" - Former RCB bowler lauds Harshit Rana's knock in AUS vs IND 2025 2nd T20I

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowler Varun Aaron has lauded Harshit Rana for scoring important runs in the second T20I between India and Australia. He noted that the Indian seamer's knock justified his selection in the XI and promotion in the batting order.

Harshit scored 35 runs off 33 deliveries as India were bowled out for 125 in Melbourne on Friday, October 31. Australia achieved the target with four wickets and 40 deliveries to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

During an interaction on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' Aaron was asked about his thoughts on Harshit's knock.

"Very important innings. It almost justified his selection and him batting at No. 8 (No. 7). Gautam Gambhir and the coaching staff, obviously, have seen enough of him in the nets and in the practice matches to believe in his batting. I think he has shown glimpses of somebody who could be made into a decent all-rounder," he responded.

The former India pacer pointed out that the Delhiite has bailed the team out of trouble twice in difficult conditions.

"Even in the one-day series, in the second game in Adelaide, when India needed runs, he got 24 there. Today (Friday), he got 30-odd in difficult conditions. The ball was seaming around there, the ball was seaming around today. India were in a spot in Adelaide. India were in a spot today," Aaron elaborated.

Aaron added that India would have posted a bigger total had Shivam Dube not gotten out cheaply after Harshit's dismissal.

"Shivam Dube should have continued the good work he had done. If Shivam Dube hadn't gotten out for just four runs and had taken it deep, then India could have had a much better score," he observed.

Shivam Dube was caught behind off Xavier Bartlett's bowling for a two-ball four. India lost their final four wickets for 20 runs after Harshit Rana's dismissal

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"He showed that he has the ability to become a bowler who can bat" - Robin Uthappa on Harshit Rana's knock in AUS vs IND 2025 2nd T20I

Harshit Rana struck three fours and a six during his 35-run knock. [P/C: Getty]

Speaking on Star Sports, former India opener Robin Uthappa noted that Harshit Rana's knock proved that he can wield the willow effectively.

"It was an extremely important knock not only for India but also for Harshit himself because questions are being raised about his batting. He showed that he has the ability to become a bowler who can bat," he said.

While observing that Harshit wasn't stable enough in the crease towards the end of his innings, the cricketer-turned-commentator praised the 23-year-old for stitching together a crucial partnership with Abhishek Sharma.

"He started moving around a lot in the crease in the end. So his head wasn't still enough. So he wasn't getting very good connections. However, till then, he had been batting extremely well. He stitched a good partnership with Abhishek as well," Uthappa stated.

Harshit Rana walked out to bat at No. 7 when India were reduced to 49/5 after 7.3 overs. He added 56 runs for the sixth wicket with Abhishek Sharma, with the opener top-scoring for the visitors with a 37-ball 68.

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Edited by Kartik Iyer