It’s been a while since the Sydney ODI, but Harshit Rana’s breakthrough performance in Australia – and a moment of on-field advice from Rohit Sharma – has resurfaced, with a clip from a recent podcast now going viral.
Rana finished the match with impressive figures of 4 for 39, a spell that largely silenced the criticism he faced after being named in India’s ODI squad for the tour Down Under. The 23-year-old has been under constant scrutiny but his all-round contribution in Sydney, particularly with the ball, has underlined the selectors’ confidence in him.
Australia looked well placed at 183 for 3, with Matt Renshaw scoring his first ODI half-century and all the top six making useful contributions. But Rana’s incisive spell sparked a dramatic collapse as the hosts lost seven wickets for 53 runs to be bowled out for 236. It proved to be the turning point in what turned out to be a dominant Indian performance.
On the MensXP podcast, Rana opened up about a fascinating moment from that match on the field, revealing how Rohit’s hit helped set up a crucial wicket. Importantly, Rana described the incident in his own words and highlighted the trust he has in Rohit’s cricketing instincts even as he is still adjusting to the guidance of Shubman Gill.
“Shubman and I were there and he suggested I take a slip, but I wasn’t keen because he wasn’t doing much with the ball. Then Rohit bhai came and asked why I didn’t want him. When he put it like that, I didn’t really have an answer, so I agreed. The very next ball, the batter came out. Rohit bhai, now you take the bat whenever you come – I’m there or not.”
Harshit Rana Reveals Smart Fielding Call by Rohit Sharma!!
-I didn’t want a fielder after Carey’s goal. Rohit bhai told me to keep one.
I got a wicket on the very next ball.
After that Rohit said – always stick to the slip when the new batter comes.pic.twitter.com/UxCRJCXfCh— Sam (@Cricsam01) January 18, 2026
The wicket that immediately followed the fielding change boosted Rohit’s faith in the attacking options and left a lasting impression on the young pacer. Rana admitted that while he is still learning to fully align with Gill’s strategies, Rohit’s clarity and experience carry significant weight in pressure situations.
India’s dominance in the match was further underlined by strong batting performances. Rohit followed up his 73rd match in Adelaide with his 33rd ODI century, scoring 100 off 105 balls – his ninth hundred against Australia. Virat Kohli also bounced back from a tough start to the series to finish unbeaten on 74 innings in front of a packed Sydney crowd.
While the match itself is now in the rearview mirror, Simple advice from Rohit Sharma — and the immediate result it produced — remains a lesson Harshit Rana says he will carry forward in his international career.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 18, 2026