IND vs SA second ODI: Rohit and Kohli’s support automatically improves performance, says Harshit Rana

South Africa was rocked early while chasing in the first ODI at Ranchi, largely due to a fiery opening spell from Harshit Rana.

The pacer, along with Arshdeep Singh, reduced the visitors to 11 for three inside the first five overs, laying a strong platform for tweaker Kuldeep Yadav to take control and seal the victory.

Addressing the media on the eve of the second ODI here, the lanky bowler reflected on his performance, the importance of staying focused on his work while shutting out outside noise, and the impact of having two stalwarts [Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli] in the dressing room — something he believes has significantly shaped his growth.

“Honestly, it’s a big thing not just for me but for the whole team. When players with so much experience are around you — whether on the field or in the dressing room — the environment becomes very nice. They always tell youngsters that we can do better. That kind of support automatically improves performance,” he said.

“The team is in a very happy and positive space. They always motivate us, whether things go well or not. They guide us on what the next step should be, especially when you are under pressure on the field,” added the 24-year-old.

On dealing with social-media pressures, Harshit was clear and honest: “I just focus on what I need to do on the ground — my hard work and my processes. What happens outside doesn’t matter. If I start listening to everything on social media, I won’t be able to play cricket. So I try to avoid it as much as possible.”

On bowling alongside Arshdeep and working with bowling coach Morne Morkel, Harshit said: “Morne has huge experience, and I talk to him often. Arshdeep helps me a lot in practice, too. They constantly guide me on what to do and how to improve.”