‘GG thu Einstein hain’ - Fans drag Gautam Gambhir into scene after Harshit Rana's batting during IND vs AUS 2nd T20I

Fans hailed India head coach Gautam Gambhir after Harshit Rana's valuable 35 off 33 balls helped India save the blushes against Australia in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. Rana has been subject to severe criticism since the Asia Cup 2025 over his selection over Arshdeep Singh, especially in the shortest format of the game.

With the Indian top-order crumbling heavily at MCG, Rana used his bat to shut the critics with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket along with Abhishek Sharma, who top-scored with 68. Rana's Gambhir connection came from the fact that both of them worked together at Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Having made his debut for India last year in Australia, Rana hasn't been a constant member in the playing XI with his habit of leaking runs coming under severe scrutiny most of the time. However, Rana's ability to bat lower down the order gives him an edge over Arshdeep Singh, something that was on full display at the MCG on Friday.

Out of India's 125, 103 runs came from the bats of Abhishek and Rana. The rest of nine Indian batters contributed only 22 off 42 balls. Rana's knock sent the social media buzzing.

India lose to Australia in second T20I

However, unlike his batting, Rana failed to replicate his form with the ball by giving away 27 runs in his two overs as India eventually lost the game by four wickets. Chasing 126 runs, captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front with a blazing 26-ball 46 as Australia romped home with 40 balls to spare. Australia take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

For Australia, senior pacer Josh Hazlewood was the best bowler for Australia, returning excellent figures of 3/13 in four overs after triggering the collapse in the Indian innings.