Shubman Gill explains why Harshit Rana is valuable to India

Highlighting Harshit Rana’s growing importance in the national set-up, India captain Shubman Gill hailed the young pacer’s poise and versatility after his match-winning performance in the third ODI against Australia on Saturday. Rana returned with a career-best four-wicket haul and quickly emerged as a key option for India as an all-rounder.

“I think the No.8 position for us, if a batsman can get 20-25 runs there, which we believe Harshit can do, then it becomes a very important position,” Gill said in the post-match conference. Delhi’s impressive 24 in the second ODI in Adelaide has already caught the captain’s eye and his ability to deliver with both bat and ball now gives India a new dimension of team balance.

While Nitish Kumar Reddy’s absence due to a quadriceps injury has forced India to tweak their combination, Gill acknowledged that Rana’s inclusion offers the side more bowling bite at No.8 compared to the batting all-rounder. “I think the No.8 position for us, if a batsman can score 20-25 runs there, which we believe Harshit can do, then it’s a very important position,” Gill noted.

AUS vs IND, 3rd ODI: Highlighting | Scorecard

The Indian skipper also highlighted Rana’s physical attributes as a key differentiator. “There are very few fast bowlers who are tall who can bowl more than 140. So if we look at South Africa, on such wickets, bowlers like that are very important,” he explained.

Gill pointed out that Rano’s height and pace make him an asset in the middle overs, where seam movement is often limited. “Because we saw in the middle overs that the ball doesn’t move much outside the wicket. So if you have good height and pace, you can create chances. And I think that’s what happened,” he added.

Rana’s spell that disrupted Australia’s rhythm came after the Indian spinners stifled the scoring. Gill was quick to credit the team effort behind the turnaround. “Australia started very well but the way our spinners bowled first created the pressure and then Harshit bowled (the ball) powerfully and I think he was well rewarded for that.”

“My form doesn’t bother me much”

The ODI series was unusual for Gill as he finished without a half-century, but the skipper seemed unfazed by his own returns. “In the first match I got caught on the leg side. So I don’t think too much about my batting. It happens sometimes. Obviously you want to play for the team in every match but I’m not too worried about my performance,” he said.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

October 25, 2025