He says Gambhir gave him more confidence to help him handle pressure better at KKR, and he’ll continue working with him in Sri Lanka following his first India call-up.
Fast bowler Harshit Rana, who received his first-ever India call-up for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, stated that Gautam Gambhir is “above everyone else” to him for a large portion of his success. This season, Harshit Rana, 22, collaborated with new India head coach Gautam Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and, like Gambhir, rose through the ranks of the Delhi cricket community.
After the India squad was revealed, Harshit Rana told PTI, “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 dad, Pradeep, never gave up on life.
In this beautiful journey of mine, my father for his efforts, my coach Amit Bhandari sir (a former India and Delhi pacer), and above all, Gauti bhaiyya [Gambhir] are the three people to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.
If my perspective on the game has altered, a big part of it can be attributed to Gauti Bhaiyya’s influence on me while he was in the KKR locker room. You need talents to compete at the highest level, but even more important, you need a strong heart.
“I was often told by Gauti bhaiyya that “Mere ko tere pe trust hai.” Jeetake aayega tu match. [I have faith in you to win the game].”
After scooping up 21 wickets in five Ranji Trophy matches during his stellar 2022–2023 first-class season with Delhi, Harshit Rana was sidelined by injury from playing much red-ball cricket. He has, however, excelled for Delhi when faced with the white ball, taking 22 wickets in 14 Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, and 28 in 25 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches.
In front of a crowded Eden Gardens during the 2024 Indian Premier League, he skillfully executed his slow bouncers, wide yorkers, and blockhole deliveries to end as the tournament’s joint fourth-highest wicket-taker and contribute to KKR’s championship run. How did he support his abilities when things got tough?
“If you ask about the pressure part, it is Gautam Gambhir’s advice,” Rana stated. “‘What’s the worst that will happen?’ he would ask. We might lose the match if you get hit. However, how will you get over your worries if you don’t confront them?
“I discovered that everything will fall into place since there will always be a new day and a new match. It is the goal of your training.”
If my perspective on the game has altered, a big part of it can be attributed to Gauti Bhaiyya’s influence on me while he was in the KKR locker room. Competing at the highest level demands talent, but much more than talent, an outstanding athlete needs a resilient heart.” Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana had trained at Delhi’s Players’ Academy under Bhandari and Narinder Singh Negi before his IPL triumphs. “If you talk about skill-set, then Bhandari sir and Negi sir have been my personal coaches for the past two years,” Harshit Rana replied.
Bhandari, a veteran of Delhi who represented India in two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from 2000 to 2004 and who currently coaches the Gujarat Titans as an assistant, talked to PTI about his time with Rana. “This boy’s identity was unknown to me,” Bhandari remarked. “He played Ranji Trophy instead of KKR when he approached me. He only phoned me and asked, “Sir, could you teach me?”
“On his first visit, I gave him an old ball instead of a new one and gave him instructions on where to bowl as well as other information. Don’t come near me or look at me; just bowl. I’ll give you a call if I feel the need.”
Bhandari was sufficiently inspired by what he observed to begin working with Rana. “I witnessed a decent run-up, but everything needed some improvement after load-up after he reached the crease. The alignment of the non-bowling hand He was prepared to get to work.
If Rana wins his first India cap in Sri Lanka, he will hope it has all been worthwhile. Before the ODIs begin on August 2, the tour starts with three T20 Internationals on July 27. This is also Gambhir’s first assignment as India’s coach.
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