It was a day to remember for Harshit Rana. The young pacer showed his skill with a brilliant spell that gave India firm control of the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the series already lost, India played for pride, and Rana gave fans a reason to cheer.
Australia’s Confident Start Falters
Australian stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to bat. His decision seemed right at first as he and Travis Head got off to a solid start. Marsh scored 41 off 50 balls, while Head hit a quick 29 from 25. The runs flowed freely, and it looked like Australia were set for a big total. But once the opening stand broke, India’s bowlers fought back hard.
Harshit Rana Leads the Charge
Rana was unstoppable. He finished with impressive figures of 4 for 39 in 8.4 overs, troubling Australian batters with his pace, movement, and control. Every over he bowled made a difference, turning the game India’s way and lifting the team’s spirit.
Team Effort in Bowling
Washington Sundar supported well with 2 for 44 in 10 overs. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel took one wicket each, keeping up the pressure throughout. Their combined effort ensured Australia couldn’t recover after the early breakthroughs.
Australia’s Middle Order Collapses
Matt Renshaw scored 56 off 58, and Matt Short added 30, but their partnership couldn’t hold once Rana returned for his second spell. From 190 for 5, Australia’s innings crumbled like dominoes. They were bowled out for 236 in 46.4 overs, wasting a promising start.
India Look to Finish Strong
For India, this match was about restoring pride after the series loss. With a target of 237, all eyes are now on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to steady the chase and finish the series on a high after Rana’s fiery spell set up the game perfectly.
