Amidst the highly intense first innings between India and Australia, the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, it seems like a new rivalry is brewing hot, between the debutante Harshit Rana and Mitchell Starc on day 2 at the Optus Stadium. Starc and Rana had a friendly encounter on the ground where the former reminded the latter that he bowls faster than him.
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The comment came during the 30th over when Harshit Rana was bowling a fiery spell of short-pitched bowls. Starc was ducking to evade a barrage of short balls when one of the balls hit him at his safety helmet. Starc reminded Rana who the faster bowler was by saying
“Harshit, I bowl faster than you, I have a long memory”
Harshit Rana without losing his calm responded with a smile and added a touch of levity to a rather intense competition. Though both Rana and Starc play for the same franchise in the IPL and have had the privilege of lifting the cup for Shahrukh Khan owned, Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL season earlier this year, the intensity of this play must be considered and this might turn out to be a role reversed situation. Maybe Starc was signaling the youngster that he can bowl deadly bouncers himself and have some other tricks of his own in the bag for the Indians. He might be signalling that they will be on other ends soon and situation may arise when Harshit might face Mitch Starc. Well it might be anything, the light-hearted moment exemplified the spirit of cricket, where fierce competition on the field is often accompanied by mutual respect.
