Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to field first in overcast conditions in Canberra, and Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing Matt Renshaw. Rain interrupted play for half an hour, reducing the game to 46 overs per side. After the restart, Sam Konstas and Jack Clayton rebuilt the innings, with Konstas scoring a brisk half-century off 48 balls. The duo took the PM’s XI to a strong position at 124/2 in 22 overs. But the momentum shifted towards India when Harshit Rana briskly took four quick wickets and shattered the Aussie middle order.
On the fourth delivery of the 23rd over, Rana delivered a good-length ball around the off-stump to Clayton. Staying rooted in his crease, Clayton attempted a backfoot defence. However, the ball skidded off the surface evaded his bat and ultimately crashed into the off stump. A similar story unfolded on the last ball of the over. This time, Rana bowled a full and straight delivery targeting the stumps. Oliver Davies, trying to flick it away, completely misjudged the line and missed the ball. It cannoned into the middle and leg stumps, sending him back to the pavilion. The pressure on the Australians grew in the 25th over. On the very first delivery, Rana switched to over the wicket and bowled a short ball around off-stump to skipper Jack Edwards. Edwards tried to loft it over deep backward square leg but mistimed his shot. The ball went straight into the hands of Prasidh Krishna at the boundary, who made no mistake in taking a comfortable catch. The drama didn’t stop there. On the third delivery of the same over, Rana once again unleashed a short ball aimed at the body. Harper tried to glance it but ended up offering another straightforward catch to Prasidh Krishna, who safely pouched it without any trouble. Twitterverse was in awe to see Rana’s performance and spoke about in social media.
What a spell from Harshit Rana!
Harshit Rana will be the next bowling superstar for india.He will carry forward the legacy of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami.
What a talent he is, thanks Gautam Gambhir for picking him.pic.twitter.com/voxmL1DhtT— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) December 1, 2024
𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐉𝐈 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 🔥
Double blow by #HarshitRana, dismisses a settled Clayton and follows up with Davies, rattling Australia’s batting order in the #PinkBallTest 🤯#AUSvINDonStar Warm-up match 👉 LIVE NOW on Star Sports! #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/t7DkGfLPja— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 1, 2024
He is superstar!
Great one!
WHAT A BALL FROM HARSHIT RANA ⚡
– India continues their dominance in Australia…!!!! pic.twitter.com/YNjS77gQaf— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 1, 2024
Harshit Rana was brought in by recommendation of Nitish Rana in 2022 as replacement of rasikh dar 👍
— Kau5tubh30 (@Kaustubh001ac) December 1, 2024
Great spell!
Brilliant from youg lad!
4 wickets in a space of 6 deliveries ❤️🔥
Harshit Rana is all set for the Pink ball test 😎#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/KzrF0bV1yC— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) December 1, 2024
WHAT A BALL, HARSHIT RANA! 🤯pic.twitter.com/PLWfsQB3n5
– Brilliant bowling by Harshit Rana as he dismissed the well-settled Clayton and Davies. 🔥#PMXIvIND #harshitrana #INDvsAUS #ausvspak #cricket #RohitSharma𓃵— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) December 1, 2024
