By Admin 
Harshit Rana Scored First Half-Century Against New Zealand: The last match of the 3-match ODI series between India and New Zealand was played on Sunday i.e. January 18, 2026 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Even though Team India lost this decisive match, Harshit Rana showed his stormy batting. Coming at number-8 for India, Harshit scored his first half-century in international cricket by hitting a series of fours and sixes. Harshit came to the crease at a time when there was a need for a good partnership with Virat Kohli while holding one end of the Indian team. Harshit not only supported him, but also stunned the Kiwi bowlers by scoring a stormy half-century with fours and sixes. When Harshit scored a half-century, the reaction of head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma sitting in the dug out was worth seeing.
Harshit Rana played a brilliant innings
India, which was chasing the target of 338 runs given by New Zealand, got the sixth blow in the form of Ravindra Jadeja on the score of 178 runs. After this it seemed that the Indian innings would soon end, because only Virat Kohli was standing at one end as a batsman, but Harshit Rana surprised everyone with his batting. After playing cautiously in the beginning, Harshit opened his hands and hit a flurry of fours and sixes off the Kiwi bowlers. He completed his first half-century of ODI and international career by hitting two consecutive sixes at the beginning of the 44th over. After which Harshit was caught out by Henry Nicholls by Zachary Fox. Harshit’s innings ended on 52 runs in 43 balls. In which he hit four fours and as many sixes.
🚨 41 BALLS FIFTY FOR HARSHIT RANA 🚨
– What a fifty by Harshit Rana, he scored a majestic fifty Vs New Zealand in decider. pic.twitter.com/2qY2SZkwaV
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 18, 2026
Gautam Gambhir was signaling Harshit Rana to remain focused after his half century, but bro was not ready for a surprise full toss😭 pic.twitter.com/1KtPYxBHfG
— Staunch INDIA Supporter 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) January 18, 2026
Fifty for Harshit Rana.
Rohit Sharma’s reaction on Harshit Rana’s six. pic.twitter.com/82D1eIMfrN
— The sports (@the_sports_x) January 18, 2026
Rohit-Gambhir’s reaction went viral
When Harshit Rana scored a half-century in 41 balls, the reaction of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir was worth seeing. After which the photo of the reaction is going viral on social media. Gautam Gambhir asked Harshit to focus on batting instead of celebrating his half-century. At the same time, Rohit Sharma was seen laughing at the long six hit by him.