‘I Bowl Faster Than You’: Mitchell Starc's funny banter on Harshit Rana's bowling on Day 2

During the ongoing Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and India’s debutant Harshit Rana shared a light-hearted, mid-pitch exchange during Australia’s first innings.

After India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat first, India’s batting was restricted to 150 by Australia’s relentless pace attack. When Australia came out to bat, India’s pacers, led by Bumrah, dominated the first innings, leaving Australia at 67/7 by the end of Day 1. On Day 2, Australia’s lower-order partnership between Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc added some valuable runs, with Starc top-scoring 26 off 112 balls before being dismissed by Rana. Australia ended their innings at 104, leaving India with a 46-run lead.

Starc proved to be a tough challenge for the Indian attack, particularly when facing a barrage of bouncers from Rana. After struggling with one of Rana’s deliveries, Starc jokingly confronted his ex-IPL teammate, saying, “Harshit, I bowl faster than you,” with a smile. Referring to the future battle between the two, Starc added, “I have a long memory.” The playful exchange ended with the two embracing in the middle of the pitch. Starc’s gritty 26, off the longest innings by any batter in the match, helped Australia edge closer to India’s score, setting the stage for an exciting contest.