Fast bowler Harshit Rana has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Gautam Gambhir following his selection for India’s ODI squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. Harshit Rana, who had previously been part of the Indian squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe earlier this month, did not get a chance to play. However, his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has earned him a spot in the ODI squad alongside Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mohammed Siraj.
Harshit Rana’s breakthrough in the IPL, where he took 19 wickets from 13 matches and played a key role in helping Kolkata Knight Riders win their third IPL title, was largely attributed to Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship. Harshit Rana credited Gautam Gambhir for shaping his career and changing his mindset towards the game.
“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, and above everyone else, Gauti bhaiyya (Gautam Gambhir),” Harshit Rana told PTI. “Gauti bhaiyya’s presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset has been crucial. At the elite level, you need skills but more importantly, you need the heart to handle the pressure. He always told me, ‘Mere ko tere pe trust hai. Tu match jeetake aayega’ (I trust you, you can win the match).”
Harshit Rana, who has played 14 List A matches and taken 22 wickets at an economy rate of 5.54, is poised to make his ODI debut as India’s tour of Sri Lanka begins with the ODI series starting on Saturday, July 27, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Harshit Rana’s rise underscores the impact of mentorship and confidence-building in cricket, highlighting how Gautam Gambhir’s support has been pivotal in his journey to the international stage.
