Harshit Rana used to get up early morning to watch cricket in Australia with his dad Pradeep. He finally had the opportunity to not just play in Australia, but also make his Test debut.

Harshit certainly put in a commendable show with figures of 3/48 in 15.2 overs. But he did have butterflies in his stomach on coming to know a day before the Perth Test that he would be making his debut.

“I used to get up early in the morning to watch cricket in Australia with my dad,
so this (Test debut in Australia) is a big thing for me. I was told a day before that I was going to make my debut. I could not sleep after that and I slept very late that night,” the Delhi pacer, who had a successful IPL campaign with Kolkata Knight Riders this year, said at the news conference on Saturday.

Harshit’s nerves settled down once he got his maiden Test wicket in the form of Travis Head on Friday, cleaning the left-hander up with good use of the seam.

“Our plan was to attack the stumps. I was then able to hit the right length and got that wicket,” the 22-year-old said.

Harshit also owed it to advice from head coach Gautam Gambhir and his parents. “Gautibhai asked me to stay patient as it was difficult for me to wait for my debut. He told me, ‘Keep everything aside and think you’re representing the entire country’.

“Mom and dad also told me that I need to be patient enough as that would help fulfil my dreams.”