Shubman Gill stressed that a bowler who can bat usefully is essential, especially with South Africa set to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: After pacer Harshit Rana’s brilliant four-wicket haul in India’s win against Australia in Sydney, India captain Shubman Gill hailed the youngster’s performance and highlighted the importance of his role at number eight. Gill stressed that a bowler who can bat usefully is key, especially with South Africa set to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027.Rana, who had bowled some stunning spells earlier in the series, displayed his pace, control of line and length and wicket-taking to perfection, finishing with 4/39 in 8.4 overs as Australia were bowled out for 236. India’s chase was anchored by an unbeaten 168-run stand for the second wicket between Roth Sharli and Virat Kohit Sharli.
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“I think for us, the No.8 position, if a batsman can do 20-25 runs and we’re confident that we can do it, then it becomes a very important position and I think if you look at it, there are very few fast bowlers who can bowl 140 plus, so on wickets like that. If you look at South Africa, on wickets like that, which are above the middle, bowlers like that they become very important to you. wicket so if you have and good height and pace then you can create chances and I think that happened, Australia started very well but the way our spinners bowled first they created pressure and then Harshit bowled with a lot of power and I think he was well rewarded for that,” said Gill.Reflecting on his own form, Gill remained undeterred by his performance in the series. “I don’t think much work is needed on the bat. Sometimes you play good shots but you get out. I got stuck on my feet in the first game. It happens, sometimes you have two or three games like that. Even if you want to perform in every game, I’m not too worried about my performance,” he said.As India lost their 17th ODI toss in a row, Gill quipped, “My family also asks me to do some practice for the toss.”Australia batted first in the match after winning the toss. A 61 opening partnership between captain Mitchell Marsh (41 off 50 balls, with five fours and a six) and Travis Head (29 off 25 balls, with six fours) set the tone. Matt Short added 30 off 41 balls and a 59-run stand between Matt Renshaw (56 off 58 balls) and Alex Carey (24 off 37 balls) took Australia to 183/3. However, after the collapse, they were all out for 236 in 46.4 overs, with Rana (4/39) and Washington Sundar (2/44) leading the bowling, supported by Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.India’s chase began with an opening stand of 69 runs between Shubman Gill (24 off 26 balls) and the rest of the batting line-up. Rohit Sharma (121* off 125 balls) and Virat Kohli (74* off 81 balls) then put on an unbeaten 168-run partnership to guide India to victory with nine wickets in hand. Rohit was awarded both “Player of the Match” and “Player of the Series” for scoring 202 runs in the series, including a century and a fifty.
