‘Idhar hi maar isko’: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s fired-up advice to young pacer goes viral | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Harshit Rana not too long ago opened up a couple of heated on-area alternate with Australian speedster Mitchell Starc throughout the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the place he peppered Starc with bouncers earlier than dismissing him for 26 — all whereas receiving spirited backing from senior execs Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.The duel ignited when Rana unleashed a barrage of brief balls at Starc, one of which struck the Aussie on the helmet. Starc, additionally his Kolkata Knight Riders teammate within the IPL, responded with a trademark smirk and a warning:

“Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory.”Speaking on the BeerBiceps podcast, Rana shared his ideas throughout that tense second, admitting a combination of adrenaline and worry as he walked again to his mark.“I bowled him a bouncer after a long time. One hit his helmet. When he sledged, I just laughed. But while walking back, I thought, ‘Mar gaya, ab ye mujhe bouncer maarega!’”

“And then from behind, Virat bhai and KL bhai were shouting from the slips — ‘Maarta reh, maarta reh, idhar hi maar isko!’ I thought, ‘Bhaiya aap toh bach jaoge, mere toh lagne wali hai!’”As destiny would have it, Starc did retaliate later, placing Rana on the helmet throughout the second Test. But the young Indian pacer took it in stride, chalking it up to the spirit of the competition.Rana’s journey with the Indian workforce has had its ups and downs. While he has impressed in phases — together with his stint in Australia — consistency on the worldwide degree has remained elusive.Most not too long ago, he was half of the Test squad in opposition to England as a backup however was later launched. Nevertheless, Rana stays an energetic contributor in white-ball codecs and was a member of the Indian aspect that clinched the Champions Trophy.