“It is just about getting…” - Zaheer Khan opens up on Harshit Rana’s performance in Perth ODI

Zaheer Khan breaks down Harshit Rana's wicketless spell in the Perth ODI, advising the young pacer to focus on "getting the length right" to convert his potential into wicket-taking opportunities.

By Jack 21 Oct 2025 in Cricket

New Update

Former Indian pacer and analyst Zaheer Khan has come out in strong support of Harshit Rana, who has been constantly facing criticism on various social platforms for being part of the Indian teams across formats despite underperforming.

Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, the former pacer asserted that Rana bowled decent wicket-taking deliveries, but it’s all about getting the length right. Once he converts his deliveries into wicket-taking balls, he added that his confidence and approach will change.

"I think Harshit Rana is a hit-the-deck kind of a bowler. Certain deliveries he bowled in the first ODI were fuller. It's just about getting the length right. It will help to create those wicket-taking opportunities. He is bowling good deliveries, but those are not resulting in wickets. The moment you convert it, your confidence and approach will change," Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

Furthermore, Zaheer also praised India’s bowling effort despite the defeat in the first ODI in Perth, adding that the intent and body language of the attack were good. He also hailed Arshdeep Singh’s early breakthrough and stated how the bowlers’ aggression while defending a low total was a promising sign for the team.

"I was happy with the intent. You've got to judge your defense on the basis of that. Arshdeep provided an early breakthrough. When you are defending a below-par total you can get desperate for wickets but it is a good sign. And in that process you are going to falter a bit. You will leak runs because you are looking to create opportunities. I liked the intent from all the bowlers. The body language was also right up there,” he concluded.

Team India will next take on Australia in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23. Later, the third and final ODI will be played in Sydney on Saturday, October 25.

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