Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar commends Harshit and looks forward to Rohit and Gill's comeback in the second Test

Canberra [Australia]: With India preparing for their upcoming pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide, Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar provided valuable insights during a press conference, shedding light on the team's readiness for the crucial match.

Abhishek Nayar was particularly enthusiastic about Harshit Rana's journey and performance. Rana came with a storm in the first Test match in Perth, and the debutant scalped 4 wickets, three in the first innings and one in the second.

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transform: rotate(32deg); animation: shinerMooving 3s infinite; z-index: 1; filter: blur(1px); } @keyframes shinerMooving { 0% { left: -40px; } 100% { left: 150%; } } Top 15 buys at IPL 2025 Auction Rishabh Pant ₹ 27 Cr DC LSG Total Match 111 Total Runs 3284 Highest Score 128 runs Shreyas Iyer ₹ 26.75 Cr KKR PBKS Total Match 115 Total Runs 3127 Highest Score 96 runs Venkatesh Iyer ₹ 23.75 Cr KKR KKR Total Match 50 Total Runs 1326 Highest Score 104 runs Wickets 3 Best Bowling 2/29 Arshdeep Singh ₹ 18 Cr PBKS PBKS Total Match 65 Total Runs 29 Highest Score 10 runs Wickets 76 Best Bowling 5/32 Yuzvendra Chahal ₹ 18 Cr RR PBKS Total Match 260 Total Runs 37 Highest Score 8 runs Wickets 205 Best Bowling 5/40 Jos Buttler ₹ 15.75 Cr RR GT Total Match 107 Total Runs 3582 Highest Score 124 runs KL Rahul ₹ 14 Cr LSG DC Total Match 132 Total Runs 4683 Highest Score 132 runs Trent Boult ₹ 12.50 Cr RR MI Total Match 104 Total Runs 83 Highest Score 17 runs Wickets 121 Best Bowling 4/18 Jofra Archer ₹ 12.50 Cr MI RR Total Match 35 Total Runs 195 Highest Score 27 runs Wickets 46 Best Bowling 3/15 Josh Hazlewood ₹ 12.50 Cr RCB RCB Total Match 12 Total Runs - Highest Score - Wickets 12 Best Bowling 3/24 Mohammed Siraj ₹ 12.25 Cr RCB GT Total Match 93 Total Runs 109 Highest Score 14 runs Wickets 93 Best Bowling 4/21 Mitchell Starc ₹ 11.75 Cr KKR DC Total Match 41 Total Runs 105 Highest Score 29 runs Wickets 51 Best Bowling 4/15 Phil Salt ₹ 11.50 Cr DC RCB Total Match 21 Total Runs 653 Highest Score 89 runs Ishan Kishan ₹ 11.25 Cr MI SRH Total Match 105 Total Runs 2644 Highest Score 99 runs Wickets - Best Bowling - Jitesh Sharma ₹ 11 Cr PBKS RCB Total Match 40 Total Runs 730 Highest Score 49 runs Check Full Coverage

The fast bowler cleaned up Travis Head in the first innings, which is considered one of the best deliveries in the Test

Before the second Test, India will take on the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Saturday, providing them with a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and gain match practice.

Nayar was particularly enthusiastic about Harshit Rana's journey and performance.

"As far as Harshit goes, everyone in the dressing room was happy. It has been a journey. Two years ago, he was almost making it to the Delhi team. He was not sure if he would play U23 cricket. To now donning Indian colours and doing what he did at Perth, it is so heartening," Nayar said.

He added, "When I first talked to him, he had a lot of belief and talent. He has put in a lot of hard work. He has worked hard on his fitness even before he was coming here, played Ranji. He has worked hard to be where he is."

Nayar also discussed the positive impact of having top players Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill returning for the second Test.

"It is always good to be in a position where you have got two top players coming back in action. It gives players confidence," he stated.

Rohit had been away with his family while Gill was recovering from a thumb injury.

Looking ahead, Nayar mentioned the anticipated return of head coach Gautam Gambhir.

"I think Gauti bhai should be here soon. He should be in Adelaide as soon as we reach there," he noted.

Gambhir had temporarily left the team due to personal reasons.

The pink-ball Test in Adelaide is scheduled to begin on December 6, and the team is focused on putting their best foot forward in this pivotal encounter.

The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.

The iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will run from December 26 to 30, marking the penultimate match of the series.

The fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, set for January 3 to 7, will bring the series to an exciting conclusion.

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