In the third ODI against Australia at Sydney, young pacer Harshit Rana delivered a career-best performance, picking up four crucial wickets. But one particular dismissal stood out , not just for the wicket, but for the story behind it. Rana revealed how a tactical call from former skipper Rohit Sharma turned the tide, even after ignoring the exact same suggestion from current captain Shubman Gill.
Moments before bowling to Mitchell Owen, Shubman had advised Rana to bring in a slip. The bowler, trusting his own instinct, declined. But when Rohit Sharma later walked up and echoed the same advice, something shifted. Rana agreed without hesitation - and on the very next ball, the slip came into play with Owen nicking one straight to Rohit.
The Moment Explained
"Rohit Bhai told me to keep a slip and he went to the slip, the first ball went to the slip and I was like, Thank God,” Rana shared in a post-match chat, smiling as he recalled the moment.
The full story adds even more depth.
“Before I was going to bowl to Owen, Shubman said to keep a slip, and I said No, I don't want a slip. And then Rohit Bhai said, 'Keep a slip,' so he went to the slip, and the first ball went to the slip. I was like, Thank God.”
It wasn’t just a fielding position - it was a masterstroke by a player who has seen it all. Rohit didn’t need to lead with the captain’s badge. His presence, experience, and timing spoke louder.
Leadership Without the Title
This moment says more about Rohit Sharma’s cricketing aura than any stat ever could. Despite not wearing the captain’s armband, he continues to influence games in subtle but powerful ways. And while Shubman Gill’s leadership deserves its own credit, this instance reflects how senior voices like Rohit’s still shape on-field decisions.
Rana’s candid admission wasn’t about favoring one over the other—it was about recognizing instinct, legacy, and timing. Sometimes, the game listens not to the loudest voice, but to the wisest.
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