"He is a very good friend of mine" - Harshit Rana reacts to banter with Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India's debutant pacer Harshit Rana downplayed his banter with Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test in Perth on Saturday, November 23. Describing Starc as a good friend, the youngster added he shares a good rapport with the Australian.
Rana and Starc were teammates in the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) IPL 2024-winning squad. On Day 2 of the Perth Test, the Australian cricketer hilariously sledged the Indian pacer after being struck on the glove by a rising delivery. He was caught on stump mic telling the fast bowler:
"Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory."
The Indian youngster smiled in response. Rana eventually dismissed Starc for 26 as the left-hander mistimed a lofted hit. At the end of the day's play, the Indian pacer termed his exchange with the Aussie as something that happens on the cricket field.
"Not much. He is a very good friend of mine. We have played together in the IPL, so I have a very good bonding with him. Nothing much just a few words exchanged. It all happens on the field."
Rana ended the first innings with figures of 3-48 from 15.2 overs. Before Starc, he dismissed Nathan Lyon (5) with a short ball. The right-arm pacer had claimed the key scalp of Travis Head (11) on the opening day of the Perth Test.
"Jassi bhai kept telling me what to do and Virat bhai also gave advice" - Harshit Rana
While Rana made an impressive Test debut, he acknowledged the role of senior players like skipper Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli in helping him out. While reflecting on his bowling effort, the Delhi cricketer commented:
“Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah) kept telling me what to do and Virat bhai also gave advice. It was all very helpful and gives you a different kind of confidence."
While Rana claimed three wickets in the first innings, skipper Bumrah claimed five as Australia were bowled out for 104. In response, India went to stumps at 172-0. Asked if the visitors have any specific target keeping the change in conditions in mind, the bowler replied:
“Today the pitch did get better for batting in the morning. We are not thinking about any target. Just want to keep batting."
At stumps on Day 2 in Perth, Yashasvi Jaiswal was batting on 90 and KL Rahul on 62. The visitors have an overall lead of 218 runs.