Melbourne, October 31, 2025 - In a surprising turn of events during the second T20I between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Harshit Rana's promotion in the batting order became a major talking point. The move, orchestrated by head coach Gautam Gambhir, saw Rana walk in to bat at number seven, ahead of Shivam Dube, a decision that raised eyebrows among fans and cricket experts alike.
India found themselves in a precarious situation early in their innings, reeling at 49/5 in the 8th over after a fiery spell from Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. With the top order decimated, the onus was on stabilising the innings, and Rana, primarily known for his fast bowling, was entrusted with the responsibility alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Sharma, who was in blazing form, smashing a scintillating 68 off 37 balls, found a reliable partner in Rana. The duo forged a crucial 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket, helping India cross the 100-run mark. Rana contributed a valuable 35 off 33 balls, including three fours and a six.
"I knew Harshit could bat – he hits sixes off me a lot in the nets," revealed Sharma in the post-match presentation. He further added, "He told me, 'let's play a little normal', and that helped. The right-left combination worked well, and that's why he went up the order ahead of Shivam Dube". Sharma lauded Rana for displaying remarkable composure and adjusting brilliantly in a tense situation.
Rana's innings wasn't just about survival; it was about intent. He showcased his ability to find boundaries, including a memorable six off Marcus Stoinis that propelled India past the 100-run mark. While he was eventually dismissed, his contribution was vital in ensuring India had something to bowl at.
The decision to promote Rana was a strategic one, aimed at adding depth to the batting lineup. With India seeking bowlers who can contribute with the bat, Rana's performance offered a glimpse of his potential as a valuable all-rounder. As ODI skipper Shubman Gill had said after the second ODI, "With the No.8 position, if a batsman can make 20-25 runs there – which we have confidence Harshit can do – then it becomes a very important position".
While some fans and experts questioned the move, particularly the decision to send Rana ahead of Dube, others defended it as a tactical masterstroke. Some online users criticized Gambhir's decision to send Harshit Rana before Shivam Dube, while others defended the move. Some pointed out that Dube's vulnerability against quality pace bowling might have prompted the decision to shield him for the later overs. Others argued that Rana's ability to hit sixes and his comfort against fast bowling made him a better option in that situation.
Despite Rana's efforts, India were eventually bundled out for 125 in 18.4 overs. Sharma's 68 was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal batting performance. Australia's Josh Hazlewood ran through India's top order.
Rana's promotion and his subsequent performance have opened up new possibilities for the Indian team. It reflects the team management's willingness to experiment and adapt based on the conditions and match situation. While Rana's primary role remains that of a fast bowler, his batting performance at the MCG has certainly added another dimension to his game and provided the team with greater flexibility.
