Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has showered praise on Harshit Rana for his knock in the second T20I against Australia at the MCG on Friday. Rana was promoted ahead of Shivam Dube at number seven and he scored 35 runs off 33 balls with the help of three fours and one six.
Rana joined forces with opener Abhishek Sharma when India were tottering at 49-5 after 7.3 overs. However, the right and left-hand batting combination were able to steady the ship and added a crucial alliance of 56 runs off 47 balls.
Varun Aaron said on Star Sports, “Very important innings. It almost justified his selection and him batting at No. 8 (No. 7). Gautam Gambhir and the coaching staff, obviously, have seen enough of him in the nets and in the practice matches to believe in his batting. I think he has shown glimpses of somebody who could be made into a decent all-rounder.”
Earlier, Rana had also scored 24 runs off 18 balls in the second ODI against Australia.
“Even in the one-day series, in the second game in Adelaide, when India needed runs, he got 24 there. Today (Friday), he got 30-odd in difficult conditions. The ball was seaming around there, the ball was seaming around today. India were in a spot in Adelaide. India were in a spot today,” Aaron elaborated.
However, Shivam Dube was dismissed cheaply after scoring only four runs off two balls and former RCB bowler feels the left-hander should have continued the good work which Rana was doing.
“Shivam Dube should have continued the good work he had done. If Shivam Dube hadn’t gotten out for just four runs and had taken it deep, then India could have had a much better score,” he observed.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Robin Uthappa said Rana has the ability to become a bowler, who can bat as well.
“It was an extremely important knock not only for India but also for Harshit himself because questions are being raised about his batting. He showed that he has the ability to become a bowler who can bat,” he said.
The third T20I between India and Australia will be played at Hobart on Sunday.
