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Harshit Rana, the rising star among India’s fast bowlers, attributes his maiden call-up to the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour to the influence of Gautam Gambhir, India’s newly appointed head coach.
The squad announcement on July 18 included several promising talents, with Rana standing out following a stellar IPL 2024 campaign. During the season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders, playing a crucial role in their championship victory.
Rana, who has been on the selectors’ radar for some time, showcased his prowess in List A cricket as well, amassing 22 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 23.45. His consistent performances in domestic cricket and for India A have now earned him a well-deserved opportunity at the international level.
Harshit Rana credits Gautam Gambhir for his maiden India ODI call-up
In a recent interview with PTI, Harshit Rana acknowledged Gautam Gambhir for transforming his approach to the game. Rana, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, benefited from Gambhir’s mentorship during the 2024 season.
“If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya’s (Gautam Gambhir) presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset. At the elite level, you require skills but more than skills you require the heart to handle the pressure,” Rana said.
“Gauti bhaiyya would always tell me ‘Mere ko tere pe trust hai. Tu match jeetake aayega’. (I trust you, you will win the match),” Rana remembered his chats with the Gambhir in the KKR dressing room.
“There will always be a new day” – Harshit Rana reveals Gautam Gambhir’s advice
Rana also disclosed how Gambhir’s advice on handling pressure situations resonated with him, emphasizing that the former India opener consistently encouraged him to have faith in his abilities.
“If you ask about the pressure part, it is Gautam Gambhir’s advice. He would say, ‘What’s the worst thing that will happen? You will get hit and we can lose the match. But if you don’t face your fears, how will you overcome them?” Rana exclaimed.
“There will always be a new day, new match and things will fall in place. That’s what you train for,” the 22-year-old fast bowler added.
Harshit Rana received his first India call-up during the T20I tour of Zimbabwe but did not get an opportunity to play. His standout performances for KKR this season showcased his knack for taking key wickets consistently.
Known for his blistering pace and mastery of yorkers and slower deliveries, Rana impressed despite occasional costly outings. His resilience in bouncing back from setbacks highlighted his courage and determination as a young cricketer.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in ODI squad
Harshit Rana finds himself in esteemed company alongside Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Amid initial uncertainty over their availability, both Kohli and Sharma opted to join the squad, considering the scarcity of ODI matches leading up to the Champions Trophy next year.
Rohit Sharma will assume leadership of the ODI team, supported by the inclusions of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in the squad. However, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja did not secure a spot in either squad for the tour.
