Harshit Rana frustrates Mitchell Starc with barrage of bouncers, ex-KKR colleague reminds 'I bowl faster than you'

The ongoing India vs Australia encounter in Perth has been a gripping one, with fast bowlers dictating the proceedings from the word go. It began with the Australian pace trio comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins showcasing an excellent display of fast bowling. They were then joined by Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and together they combined to fold India for 150 in the first innings.

India in response produced an even better effort with interim skipper Jasprit Bumrah leading the show. Bumrah decimated the Australian top three, also becoming the first bowler in a decade to dismiss Steve Smith for a golden duck in Test. Bumrah found great assist from his teammates Harshit Rana, making his Test debut, and Mohammed Siraj. The trio helped India reduce Australia to 67/7 at Stumps on Day 1.

Bumrah resumed the proceedings the next day with a similar intent and dismissed Alex Carey for 21 to complete his five-wicket haul. Rana, who cleaned up Travis Head to pick his maiden international scalp, also joined the party and chipped in with the wicket of Nathan Lyon.

While fans were still relishing the sensational fast bowling display at the Optus Stadium, the proceedings witnessed an interesting exchange between Rana and his former KKR teammate Starc. As India looked to fold the Australian innings at the earliest possible, Rana employed an old school trick to get rid of Starc but it proved to be futile. Rana tried to test Starc with a barrage of bouncers, who was forced to remind the Indian that he can bowl quicker between the two.

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