Kolkata : Harshit Rana acknowledges Indian Head coach Gautam Gambhir after getting his maiden India call up in Sri Lanka ODI Series.
He and Gambhir worked together for KKR in IPL 2024. Gambhir was KKR’s mentor then and worked closely with him, improving his skills as fast bowler.
After his steller performance, now Rana has earned his maiden India call up in ODIs for Sri Lanka series.
“I believed in working hard but whenever I used to get hurt after being overlooked in age-group teams, I would sit in my room and start sobbing. My father (Pradeep) never ever gave up hope,” Rana said while talking to PTI, after learning about his maiden India call-up.
Rana, hailing from Delhi, was overlooked many times by selectors & was a rookie pacer. Gambhir’s stepping into the scene changed his life.
Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) , he emerged as a key contributor to the team’s victorious campaign, claiming an impressive 19 wickets.
“If I have to name three people whom I am indebted to in this beautiful journey of mine, then it is my father for his efforts, my personal coach Amit Bhandari sir (former India and Delhi pacer) and above everyone else, Gauti bhaiyya, (Gautam Gambhir),” Rana said.
“If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya’s presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset. At the elite level, you require skills but more than the skills, you require the heart to handle the pressure.
“Gauti bhaiyya would always tell me ‘mere ko tere pe trust hai. Tu match jeetake aayega’. (I trust you, you can win the match),” Rana recalled one of his interactions with Gambhir.
Delivering match winning spells under pressure in IPL became his habit in this season. His ability to maintain composure and trust his skills under immense pressure has been a key factor in his success.
“If you ask about the pressure part, it is 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?’ There will always be a new day, new match and things will fall in place. That’s what you train for,” said Rana.
Rana , now in Indian ODI squad for Sri Lanka tour will look to impress in international stage, with Gambhir as Indian Head coach now.
