Harshit Rana, on his Test debut, delivered a moment of brilliance on Day 1 of the Perth Test at Optus Stadium, sensationally dismissing Australia’s Travis Head. The 22-year-old bowler’s precise delivery, full of seam movement, clipped the top of off-stump, sending the bails flying and marking his first-ever Test wicket. The ball, angling in from around the wicket, found the edge of Head’s bat as he tried to defend off the back foot.
However, the ball seamed away just enough to miss the bat and hit the stumps, leaving the Australian batter stunned. Head, who had been in excellent form throughout the series, departed for just 11 runs off 13 balls, and Rana’s celebration was one of pure elation. He punched the air in joy, with his teammates rushing to embrace him, celebrating a breakthrough that was vital for India’s cause.
WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah Strikes Early With Back-to-Back Wickets To Dismiss Khawaja And Smith
This wicket was significant not only because it was Rana’s debut scalp but also due to Head’s recent dominance over India in previous encounters. The pitch at Optus Stadium had proven to be challenging for the batters, with an average seam movement of 0.8 degrees, and Rana’s delivery, moving 1.36 degrees off the seam, highlighted the skill required to succeed in such testing conditions.
Got 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱ache? Don’t worry #HarshitRana is here! 😁
A dream start to his international career for the young pacer! 🔥
📺 #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 1st Test, Day 1, LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/JhLj35Hqee
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 22, 2024
Earlier in the day, India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, had taken center stage with a spectacular opening spell, leaving Australia reeling at 19 for 3 by the end of the first session. Bumrah’s brilliance started with a successful review to dismiss Nathan McSweeney. He then switched to around the wicket and produced a peach to dismiss Usman Khawaja, whose outside edge was brilliantly caught by Virat Kohli at second slip.
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Jasprit Bumrah’s magic didn’t stop there—his full delivery to Steven Smith trapped the Australian batter plumb in front, and Smith walked off without even requesting a review. Bumrah’s figures of 4-2-7-3 were a testament to his devastating accuracy, narrowly missing a hat-trick as Head survived his next delivery. Australia’s top order had been dismantled with ruthless precision, and India had seized the initiative in the match.
