"Harshit 'Bradman' for you": Twitter loses it as Rana slams 35 after promotion over Dube

Fans react to Harshit Rana's knock [Source: @Rajiv1841, @wyd_ismail/X.com]

In a surprising move in the 2nd T20I vs Australia, India promoted Harshit Rana to no. 7 ahead of Shivam Dube. While fans initially doubted the move, Rana proved himself, scoring 35 off 33 balls.

India had the worst start possible in Melbourne batting first, as half of the team returned back to the pavilion with just 49 runs on the board.

Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma walked back on 5, 1, 2 and 0, respectively.

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Harshit Rana silences critics with 35-run knock

While Shivam Dube was technically supposed to walk out at no. 7, Indian management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, sent Harshit Rana ahead of the World Cup-winning all-rounder.

Regardless of the unconventional move, Rana stood his ground, determined to prove the criticism wrong.

He knitted a crucial 56-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma, scoring 35 off 33 balls, including three fours and a six. Before Xavier Bartlett dismissed him, Harshit Rana had already done his job, and the internet went crazy.

While some mocked Gambhir for favouritism, others hailed Rana for taking responsibility.

"Bowls like Malcolm marshall. Bats like sir viv Richards. Field like kieron pollard. That's Harshit Rana for you 🫡🇮🇳♥️" - @rebel_notout

Fan tweet [Source: @rebel_notout/X.com]

"Next Indian team Captain Harshit Rana🔥" - @TukTuk_Academy

Fan tweet [Source: @TukTuk_Academy/X.com]

"GG after seeing Harshit Rana bat longer than most of the top order" - @sagarcasm

Fan tweet [Source: @sagarcasm/X.com]

"Incidents no one would have believed to be true if not recorded. Harshit "Bradman" Rana for you." - @wyd_ismail

"This move to send Harshit Rana at 7 has turned out to be a masterstroke. I think it's time to accept the that though Gambhir takes some strange decisions but all these are with good intentions for the team. Rana has steadied India's innings and is supporting Abhishek as well" - @Aryan42832Goel

Fan tweets [Source: @wyd_ismail, @Aryan42832Goel/X.com]

"You thought Harshit Rana, as a bowler, did not deserve a place in Xi? Gautam Gambhir made him an all-rounder." - @quote_for_daily

"Bro I was not expecting Harshit Rana battin before Dube and scoring runs..." - @aaron1_z

Fan tweets [Source: @quote_for_daily, @aaron1_z/X.com]

That being said, Shivam Dube couldn’t trouble the scoreboard as he edged to the wicket-keeper on 4 runs off 2 balls.

At the end of first inning, India were bowled out for just 125 runs.

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