India pace bowler Harshit Rana recently opened up about the mental challenges players face and his brief experience in Test cricket as well. Initially left out of Team India’s squad for the five-match Test series against England, he was later added for the first Test, but he was released before the second match in Edgbaston as well. However, the five-match Test series eventually ended in a 2-2 draw, with India winning the final Test at The Oval.

“The series are long, and the tours last for two to three months. Suppose you’re playing the first match and you don’t perform well. You get dropped and have to sit out for the next four matches. At that point, it can get mentally tough. Still, you have to put in the hard work and keep training on the ground. But mentally, the thought remains that the start wasn’t great and you wish things had gone differently. That feeling stays with you,” Harshit Rana said on Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube podcast.

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Takes Sly Dig At His Critics After India Win At Edgbaston

“Everyone is very supportive though. They say no worries, just keep working hard. In the end, what stays in everyone’s mind and on everyone’s lips is that you are playing for India. What more could you ask for? So, you shouldn’t feel sad. Just stay happy and keep giving your best. That’s how everyone lifts each other up, by saying that it’s okay if the current phase isn’t going well or if the days feel tough. Things will change. It doesn’t take long for time to turn around, and good days will come too,” he further added.

Meanwhile, Harshit Rana opened up on taking breaks for mental health are common among players as well.

“It happens, but you can’t really take a break from cricket. You can’t stay away from it. Mentally, you might feel low. Physically, you might be down too. But deep down, cricket is in your heart. You can’t separate yourself from it. You might overthink and feel like things aren’t going well, but in the end, you’ll still find yourself on the ground. That’s where you find happiness. That’s why we always say, just keep your focus on cricket,” Harshit Rana concluded.