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The opening Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 stands currently well poised after India bundled out the hosts, Australia for a score of 104 in 51.2 overs. Chasing the first inning target of 151 runs, none of the Aussie batters could get going with Mitchell Starc being the top-scorer with his 112-ball 26-run knock.
Furthermore, the Aussies could only add 37 runs to their overnight score of 67/7 and during their stay in the middle, Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc was seen getting into a playful banter with Test debutant Harshit Rana. The moment occurred in the 30th over of the Australia first innings on Day 2 of the first Test when the two exchanged some words.
Mitchell Starc warns Harshit Rana in playful banter in Perth Test
The drama unfolded with Starc in the middle and India needing only one wicket to restrict the hosts. Harshit Rana, who clinched his maiden Test wicket on Day 1, clean bowling Travis Head, bowled short-pitched deliveries. After a fiery spell from Rana, who forced Strac to duck in order to evade a barrage of bouncers, Starc quickly warned saying that he bowls faster than him.
“Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory,” Starc was caught saying on the stump mic. However, the Aussie pacer accompanied his comments with a smile, the Indian bowler also did not respond aggressively, and rather opted to reply with a smirky smile, video of which has been doing rounds on social media.
Watch video of Starc-Rana’s playful banter:
It is to be noted that Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana were part of the same franchise, the IPL 2024 champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While Rana has been retained by the defending champions for INR 4 Crore, Mitchell Starc, who was the most expensive player of IPL 2024 and also in the history of the tournament, was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
