“The smile showed that many things had happened in the past”


Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has praised Harshit Rana for bowling a powerful spell in the third ODI against Australia. He pointed out that the right-arm seamer has come under a lot of criticism recently, and the smile at the end of her spell showed she had put it all behind her.

Harshit recorded figures of 4/39 in 8.4 overs as India defeated Australia by 236 in Sydney on Saturday, October 25. The visitors then reached the target with nine wickets and 69 deliveries to spare to wrap up the three-match series with a win.

During a discussion about star sports, Pathan praised Harshit for showing that he is mentally strong with his match-defining spell in the third ODI.

“One thing is skill, but lately he was suffering a lot of times mentally because he was facing a lot of criticism. They were wondering why he was playing. After taking the fourth wicket, the smile showed that a lot had happened in the past, but he had put it behind him,” he said.

Reflecting on Harshit's field map, the former India all-rounder pointed out that the tall mower is unlikely to have a concentrated cluster as it varies greatly in length.

“He's mainly an inswing bowler. So you'll see the cluster mainly off stump for a right-handed batsman, and also against the left-handed batsman as he uses the angle around the wicket. You'll always see him using different lengths on those lines. You won't see a huge cluster because he has a lot of variation,” observed Pathan.

Many experts have questioned Harshit RanaRepeated selections in Indian teams in different formats. The 23-year-old silenced those critics with his four-wicket haul in Saturday's match.

'Harshit Rana played a different role today' – Irfan Pathan on the mower using the new ball in AUS vs IND 2025 3rd ODI

Harshit Rana was given the new ball in the absence of Arshdeep Singh. (C/C: Getty)Harshit Rana was given the new ball in the absence of Arshdeep Singh. (C/C: Getty)
Harshit Rana was given the new ball in the absence of Arshdeep Singh. (C/C: Getty)

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan pointed out that Harshit Rana played a different role in the third ODI against Australia.

“Harshit Rana played a different role today. He bowled the first change earlier, but today he got a chance to start with the new ball. He looked at a different pace. His pace was picking up. We regularly see speeds close to 140 kmph,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator praised the Delhi seamer for constantly changing his angles and for pitching the ball in the right areas.

“The way he used the angle over and around the wicket, he looked the best. We could see variations along with a consistent line and length. You could see a different zip. He was more confident as well. When a bowler is fit, he pitches and bowls the ball where he wants. We have to see whether it's the new ball or the old ball.

Harshit Rana did not take a wicket with the new ball. He dismissed Alex Carey (24 off 37), Mitchell Owen (1 off 4), Cooper Connolly (23 off 34) and Josh Hazlewood (0 off 2) with the old ball to help India restrict Australia to a below par score.