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Shubman Gill praised Harshit Rana for his four wickets against Australia, highlighting his potential as India’s No. 8 bowling all-rounder if he consistently scores 20-25 runs.
Harshit Rana impressed skipper Shubman Gill with bat and ball (AP)
If Harshit Rana can consistently contribute 20 to 25 runs with the bat, he has the potential to be the bowling all-rounder India needs at No. 8, said skipper Shubman Gill after the Delhi fast bowler achieved a career-best haul of four wickets in the third ODI against Australia on Saturday.
While Nitish Kumar Reddy was sidelined with a quadriceps injury, his bowling lacked the sharpness compared to Hardik Pandya, and his inclusion as a batting all-rounder at No. 8 had been detrimental in the first two ODIs.
Rana, the robust player from the Delhi outskirts, scored 24 in the second game in Adelaide, catching the attention of the Indian captain. Gill is now more interested in a bowling all-rounder rather than a batsman who can occasionally bowl.
“I think the No. 8 position for us, if a batsman can make 20-25 runs there, which we have confidence that Harshit can do it, then it becomes a very important position,” Gill said at the post-match conference.
Gill noted that there aren’t many tall fast bowlers who can hit the deck hard and bowl effort balls, which makes Rana stand out.
“There are very few fast bowlers who are tall, who can bowl 140-plus. So if we are looking at South Africa, on such wickets, such bowlers become very important,” Gill explained.
“Because in the middle overs we saw that the ball doesn’t move much off the wicket. So if you have a good height and pace, you can create chances. And I think that’s what happened.”
Gill credited the spinners for creating pressure, which allowed Rana to take wickets.
“Australia got a very good start but the way our spinners bowled first, created pressure, and then Harshit bowled powerfully (effort balls) and I think he got a good reward for that.”
Own Form Not A Concern
It is rare for Gill to finish an ODI series without a half-century, but the skipper said he isn’t too concerned about his form.
“In the first match, I got out down-the-leg side. So, I’m not thinking too much about my batting. Sometimes, it happens. You obviously want to perform for the team in every match, but I’m not too worried about my performance,” Gill said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Sydney, Australia
October 25, 2025, 21:29 IST
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