How Rahul Dravid introduced Suryakumar Yadav and KS Bharat to the Nagpur Test side? What did Ravi Shastri say to SKY that even made Virat Kohli laugh? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given cricket fans a glimpse of an unforgettable team talk, releasing never-before-seen footage of Dravid and Shastri’s touching speeches during the team huddle in Nagpur.
On Thursday, T20I world number one Suryakumar and wicketkeeper Bharat made their Test debuts in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
Former India head coach Shastri presented Suryakumar with his debut Test cap, while veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara introduced Bharat to the Asian giants’ red-ball squad. India head coach Dravid welcomed Suryakumar and Bharat to the purest format of the game on the international stage and gave a rousing speech for the debutants in Nagpur.
“It’s always a special day when a few more boys join our family. It is apparently a huge dream come true for millions of people. And not many have had the pleasure and privilege of wearing a Test cap and playing Test cricket for India,” Dravid welcomed Suryakumar and Bharat to the Indian team’s Test side ahead of the start of the series.
“Surya, many congratulations. Wear it with pride and honor and remember that every time you step into your country – You got here, not with anyone’s help. You got here because of what you did. The way you’ve been doing over the past few months. So enjoy it, your game should not change. Just because of this ‘Test match cricket’ stamp. You play the way you play and treat it like a different game. Enjoy it and have fun,” Shastri said as the former India head coach handed over his debut Test cap to SKY.
While Suryakumar replaced injured batsman Shreyas Iyer in India’s middle order, Bharat was brought into the Test side after batsman Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the entire series following a tragic car accident. “You worked really hard to get it. I wish you all the best, be yourself. Play the way you play and I wish you all the best for a successful Test career,” Pujara motivated Bharat before his Test debut.
Bharat donned the gloves for Team India in place of Wriddhiman Saha during the 2021 Test match against New Zealand on Day 3 after the veteran wicketkeeper suffered neck stiffness. Visitors Australia handed out a debut cap to young spinner Todd Murphy in Nagpur.
Before the start of the 1st Test in Nagpur, Murphy was given the Baggy Green by veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. Winning the debutant’s battle in Nagpur, spinner Murphy removed Bharat for 8 off 10 balls on Day 2 of the opening day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australian debutant made a historic five-wicket haul against India on the second day of the Test in Nagpur.
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