Rana was on song on the second morning, removing Nathan Lyon with an awkward short ball to reduce Australia to 79-9. Starc then hung around with No.11 Josh Hazlewood to frustrate the Indians as Rana and Jasprit Bumrah toiled away in an extended first spell of the day for both.

Before Lyon's wicket, Rana bowled a rising short ball from around the wicket to Starc on the fifth ball of the 30th over, which Starc fended down towards the slip cordon. Just as Rana reached the end of his follow through, Starc, who played IPL 2024 alongside Rana in the championship-winning KKR side, reminded the Test debutant of his own prowess with the ball.

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"Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I've got a long memory," Starc said, hinting that Rana could be in for a spell of hostile short and quick bowling from the veteran left-arm seamer in the second innings. Both players, however, seemed to be in a jovial mood as they shared a laugh both after the ball and between overs.

Ten overs later, Rana bowled another bumper at Starc, which the Australian ducked straight into, getting hit on the helmet. Rana and the Indian fielders were quick to rush to Starc's aid, checking if he was alright.

On day one, India were bowled out for 150 before they reduced Australia to 67-7 at stumps. At the time of writing, the hosts are 94-9, 57 runs behind India.

Watch the banter between Starc and Rana here:

Mitch Starc offers a little warning to Harshit Rana :laughing:#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/KoFFsdNbV2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2024

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