Table of Contents
- India Crumbles in Rain-Affected Perth ODI
- Harshit Rana Under Fire
- Social Media Erupts
- Bowling Woes and Batting Blunders
- What’s Next for Team India?
- Sources
India Crumbles in Rain-Affected Perth ODI
Team India’s campaign in the five-match ODI series against Australia got off to a rocky start with a demoralizing seven-wicket loss in Perth. A rain-interrupted match saw India post a paltry 136/9 in their reduced 27-over innings—far below par even on a tricky pitch.
Captain Rohit Sharma and veteran Virat Kohli both fell cheaply, offering little resistance to Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. The top order’s collapse set the tone for a forgettable outing, with only Shreyas Iyer (34) managing to cross the 30-run mark.
Harshit Rana: The New Lightning Rod
Among the many talking points from the match was young pacer Harshit Rana, who returned figures of 0/32 in his four overs. While not disastrous by any stretch, his expensive spell—coupled with the team’s overall underperformance—made him a target for online critics.
Almost immediately after the match, a viral tweet dubbed him “the Haris Rauf of India,” referencing Pakistan’s fiery but often erratic speedster. The comparison, intended as satire, quickly snowballed into a wave of memes and jokes across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
“He bowls with pace, yes—but control? Consistency? That’s the gap,” wrote one fan. Another quipped, “At least Haris Rauf wins games for Pakistan. Harshit just gives runs.”
Social Media Erupts With Mixed Reactions
While some fans trolled Rana mercilessly, others rushed to his defense. “He’s 22 years old and playing his second ODI. Give him room to grow,” argued a former domestic coach on X. Cricket analysts noted that Rana’s raw pace is a valuable asset—but needs refinement under pressure.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh weighed in subtly: “Young bowlers need support, not sarcasm. Every great started with a bad day.”
Bowling Woes and Batting Blunders
Rana’s struggles were symptomatic of a broader issue: India’s bowling lacked bite in the middle overs. Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless for the first time in 11 ODIs, while Kuldeep Yadav was uncharacteristically loose.
But the real damage was done with the bat. India lost 4 wickets for just 42 runs in the powerplay—a recurring problem in overseas conditions. The revised DLS target of 187 was never going to be enough, and Australia chased it down in 23.1 overs with ease, thanks to half-centuries from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.
What’s Next for Team India?
With the series now 1-0 to Australia, pressure mounts ahead of the second ODI in Adelaide. Selectors may consider bringing in experienced hands like Mohammed Siraj or even testing Shardul Thakur’s all-round utility to stabilize the middle overs.
As for Harshit Rana, this moment could define his resilience. “Tough days separate promising players from proven ones,” said a team insider. “Let’s see how he responds.”
Sources
Times of India: “’Harshit Rana is the Haris Rauf of India’: Player trolled after loss”