Young uncapped Indian pacer Harshit Rana has not only grabbed headlines with his stunning bowling for the champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 but also for his flying kiss send-off, which even led him to face a face ban from the BCCI in the tournament.
Rana played a key role in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) IPL 2024 title triumph. With Mitchell Starc struggling to find his form in the initial stages, it was the uncapped Indian bowler who rose to the occasion for the Men in Purple and Gold.
Harshit delivered impressive performances, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches, and went on to become the backbone of the KKR’s bowling attack. After helping KKR end their one decade-long wait for the IPL trophy, the 22-year-old Delhi lad opened up about the perception of Delhi cricketers’ aggressive nature.
Harshit acknowledged the tag but credited it to their passion and emotional connection to the game. He stressed that players from Delhi, like himself, are passionate about the game and play with heart.
Hum Delhi wale hai, Dil se khelte hai: Harshit Rana
Highlighting the influence of Delhi’s cricketing spirit, the KKR pacer cited icons like Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Gautam Gambhir as examples of how their aggressive and fearless approach helped them achieve significant achievements on the international stage.
Notably, Delhi cricketers are famous for their aggressive style of play. Their bold batting, fierce bowling, and never-back-down attitude on the field make them formidable opponents. This aggression stems from the competitive cricket culture in Delhi. Delhi cricketers’ fearless approach not only helps them dominate matches but also inspires their teammates.
Harshit Rana was quoted as saying by The Indian Express on the ultra-aggressive Delhi players: “This tag has been given to us. Hum Delhi wale hai, emotional hai, aur dil se khelte hai (We are from Delhi we play cricket with our heart). This Delhi’s aggression has made Virat Kohli the Virat Kohli he is. Ishant Sharma played 100 Test matches, and Rishabh Pant did that miracle at Gabba. Gautam Gambhir won two World Cup finals for India.”
Harshit Rana opens up about his cricket journey
Meanwhile, the IPL 2024 winner credited his father, Pradip Rana, as the most influential person in his cricketing career. Rana said that his father, a former hammer thrower, always encouraged him to pursue sports and represent India.
However, the all-rounder wasn’t initially passionate about cricket, casually playing with friends in the neighborhood, but a moment changed him. The life-changing moment came when he stayed late to watch a school cricket tournament at Ganga International School. When his father inquired about his whereabouts, Harshit nervously admitted his interest in cricket.
Rana said that once his father learned about his budding interest in the game, he enrolled him in a cricket academy the very next day, setting a path for him to become a professional cricketer. Now, Rana is eager to represent India at the highest level, saying he is ready to play in any format of the game.
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