Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 | 'My competitive attitude is very similar to Australia's...': Harshit Rana on selection in Australia tour

Delhi pacer Harshit Rana who earned a callup to the Indian Test side for the BorderGavaskar Trophy 202425 series against Australia away from home said that being selected for the tour is a big deal for him since the competitive attitude he has in his gameplay is very similar to that of the AussiesRana was among several fresh faces chosen for the BorderGavaskar Trophy 202425 alongside young allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and wicketkeeperbatter Dhruv JurelSpeaking after his fivewicket haul against Assam in the Ranji Trophy game at Delhi Rana said that he had received no indications he was going to be part of the side and it was a big deal for him to be selectedOnly when the team was announced did I know I was going to Australia But I had indications that I might be selected for the Australia tour because they had me with the team to prepare Being selected for Australia tour is a big deal for me The kind of competitive attitude I like to play cricket with on the field is very similar to Australias said Rana as quoted by ESPNCricinfoHe also said that it was his fathers dream to have him play a Test at Lords against England but he likes Australia moreIt was my fathers dream that I play a Test against England sometime at Lords but I personally like Australia more said RanaRana who is yet to make his international debut has been with Indias whiteball teams ever since a breakout Indian Premier League IPL season in 2024 with champions Kolkata Knight Riders KKR in which the pacer took 19 wickets at an average of 2015 in 13 matchesAlso Read BorderGavaskar Trophy 202425 Cheteshwar Pujara slams 18th firstclass double ton to boost selection hopesThe 22yearold said that the exposure and interaction with the Indian team have helped him a lot as a cricketer and a personI have been with the Indian team continuously since the IPL and I have learnt a lot of things there This lesson is not only about cricket but also about life how a sportsperson advances his career and life Even as a cricketer I have grown a lot by being with the Indian team he saidHe said that he loves bowling to legendary batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the nets since their intent is always high and he gets valuable tips from them He also opened up on his equation with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and discussing the Australia tour with themI love bowling to both of them Rohit and Virat in the nets because they also bat with the same intent in the nets like they do in a match So there is no scope for you to make a mistake or bowl ordinary to them I also spoke to Virat Kohli bhaiya and Rohit Sharma bhaiya so they just told me to focus on my length and I am trying the same thing here said RanaRecently when I was with the Indian team I used to keep talking to Jassi Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bhaiya that if someday I get a chance to play there in Australia what should I do and what should I not do which length will be right there and which is not I have got an idea of all these things from both the bowlers and talking to them has helped me a lot he concludedRightarm seamer Mohammed Shami was not included in the squad as India announced their team for the upcoming BorderGavaskar Trophy BGT series against Australia next monthFollowing the end of the ODI World Cup 2023 the India pacer suffered an ankle injury which forced him to stay away from the field since November last yearNitish Reddy had a terrific T20I series against Bangladesh He delivered a performance to remember with an explosive knock of 74 and two wickets to go with it helping India secure a massive 86run win over Bangladesh at Delhis Arun Jaitley Stadium on WednesdayEaswaran has started well since the Duleep Trophy scoring four tons in eight innings and has managed to score 632 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 10533 with the best score of 191 against Mumbai in the Irani CupKuldeep Yadav was unavailable for selection for the tour of Australia since he was referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand for longterm resolution of his chronic left groin issueOpener Rohit Sharma will be leading the side and rightarm seamer Jasprit Bumrah will be his deputyThe most awaited BorderGavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22 with the first Test at PerthAlso ReadKey scenarios for teams vying for World Test Championship spotsThe second Test scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval will feature the exciting daynight format under the stadiums lights After that fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test which will be held from December 14 to 18The customary Boxing Day Test set for December 26 to 30 at Melbournes storied Melbourne Cricket Ground will bring the series to its penultimate stageThe fifth and final Test to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7 will serve as the series climax promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contestIndias squad for the BorderGavaskar Trophy Rohit Sharma C Jasprit Bumrah VC Yashasvi Jaiswal Abhimanyu Easwaran Shubman Gill Virat Kohli KL Rahul Rishabh Pant WK Sarfaraz Khan Dhruv Jurel WK R Ashwin R Jadeja Mohd Siraj Akash Deep Prasidh Krishna Harshit Rana Nitish Kumar Reddy Washington SundarWith agency inputs