AUS v IND 2025: WATCH- Rohit Sharma advises Harshit Rana to take a slip; results in Mitchell Owen’s wicket

Harshit Rana took ODI career best 4/39 in third ODI against Australia.

India pacer Harshit Rana gave a brilliant performance with the bat, shutting up his naysayers. Rana helped India win the third and final ODI that was played in Sydney on October 25, 2025. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first.

Rana took four wickets and demolished the Australian team, giving one of his best performances in Indian colors. After two challenging outings, the fast bowler proved Gautam Gambhir correct in continually backing him in the national setup.

Rana bowled a superb second spell in Sydney, dismissing Alex Carey, Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, and Josh Hazlewood. He bowed his back, created a crisp bounce, and skillfully changed up his pace, frequently outfoxing batters with well-hidden slower deliveries.

It was a refreshingly controlled show from Rana, who is known for his pace and ability to hit the deck hard.

"I was like this before (wanting to go out and bowl fast). I always wanted to go and give my heart out. But the support staff changed my heart, saying, "You go and give your heart out, but with your brain also," Rana told JioHotstar after the match.

Rana picked 4/39, while Mitchell Marsh (41) and Matt Renshaw (56) were the main contributors to Australia’s score of 236 all out.

Rana's ball to Mitchell Owen sparked a collapse in the Australian batting order. Rana attributed the dismissal to a tactical field alteration suggested by Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, who had requested an extra slip fielder for Owen.

Initially skeptical, Rana eventually consented to the plan after Rohit persisted. The move paid off immediately, as Rana coaxed an outside edge from Owen, which carried straight to Rohit at first slip. That breakthrough was significant, ushering in the demise of the Australian batting unit.

"Shubman asked me if I wanted a slip. I told him I didn't need one. Rohit Bhai was standing in the covers, and he said, 'Hey, take the slip. I will go and stand there.' Then, I got the wicket, and I thanked him. He told me about it after the wicket," Rana told JioHotstar.

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Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma hammered 121*, and Virat Kohli made 74*, and their unbeaten 168-run second-wicket partnership helped India win the third ODI by 9 wickets, though Australia won the series 2-1.