Recently called up to the Indian Test team for the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, Delhi pacer Harshit Rana said he was thrilled about the chance and considered the selection a “big deal.” According to Rana, who is renowned for his aggressive, competitive approach, which is similar to the Australians’ playing philosophy, this trait fits in well with the demands of the high-stakes series.

Along with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rana is part of a new set of young players chosen for the trip. Rana reflected on his call-up after an outstanding five-wicket showing against Assam in the Ranji Trophy, saying that the news was all the more significant to him since he had no previous clues about his selection.

“I didn’t realize I was heading to Australia until the squad was revealed. However, they had me with the squad to prepare, so I had signs that I would be chosen for the Australia trip. It means a lot to me to be chosen for the Australia trip. According to ESPNCricinfo, Rana said, “I like playing cricket with people who have a competitive mindset, which is very similar to Australia’s.”

He said that while his father had always wanted him to play a Test match against England at Lord’s, he prefers Australia.

“It was my father’s dream that I play a Test against England sometime at Lord’s, but I personally like Australia more,” Rana added.

Since a successful 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in which the pacer claimed 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 in 13 games, Rana, who has not yet made his international debut, has been a member of India’s white-ball squads.

The 22-year-old said that both as a person and as a cricket player, the exposure and contact with the Indian squad had really benefited him.

Since the IPL, I have been with the Indian squad consistently, and I have gained a lot of knowledge there. This lecture covers not only cricket but also life and how a sportsman may improve both his profession and personal life. Being with the Indian squad has helped me improve as a cricket player as well,” he remarked.

He said that because of their constant high intent and the helpful advice they provide him, he enjoys bowling to the great batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the nets. Along with talking about the Australia trip, he also shared his equation with speed leaders Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

“I like bowling to both Rohit and Virat in the nets because they bat in the nets with the same purpose as they do during a game. Therefore, you have no room to make a mistake or seem unremarkable to them. Virat [Kohli] bhaiya and Rohit [Sharma] bhaiya urged me to concentrate on my length, so I’m doing the same thing here,” Rana said.

I used to constantly ask Jassi [Jasprit Bumrah] and [Mohammed] Siraj bhaiya, when I was playing for the Indian team, what I should and shouldn’t do if I ever have the opportunity to play there [in Australia], as well as which length would be right there and which isn’t. Speaking with the bowlers has really helped me in understanding all of these things,” he said.

The first Test in the much anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between Australia and India will take place in Perth on November 22.

In the second Test, which will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 6–10, the thrilling day-night format will be played beneath the stadium’s lights. Following that, supporters will focus on the third Test, which will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.

The series will reach its concluding stage with the traditional Boxing Day Test, which will take place at Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30.

The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test, which will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3–7. It promises to be a thrilling match with a dramatic ending.

The following players are part of India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad: Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Rohit Sharma (C).