'Unse nahin karna': Harshit Rana's striking answer when asked why he will not sledge Virat Kohli

Harshit Rana, the rising star of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has quickly become known not just for his bowling prowess but also for his controversial celebrations. In the IPL 2024 season, Rana took 19 wickets, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker and playing a crucial role in KKR's victorious campaign. However, his on-field antics, particularly the flying-kiss celebration, have also attracted significant attention.

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Harshit Rana on why he would not sledge Virat Kohli

In a recent podcast, Harshit Rana shared his thoughts on various subjects, including why he refrained from sledging or celebrating provocatively against certain players, especially Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). When asked by the host about his restraint, Rana provided a candid explanation.

"Main bata raha hu aapko, aisa main pehle match main bhi soch ke nahi gaya tha ki karna hai. Second match main bhi. Respect hai unke liye [Virat Kohli], respect sab players ke liye hai but unke saamne aise bhi nahi karna. (I am telling you. I didn't pre-determine that I'll go and do it in the first match. And even in the second game. People dared me to try and do it in the RCB match. But I didn't do it. I have respect for him. I have respect for every player, but no, I wouldn't do it in front of him)," Rana said.

Harshit Rana's flying-kiss celebration first appeared during KKR's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he dismissed Mayank Agarwal and marked the moment with the now-infamous gesture. The celebration cost him 60 percent of his match fee. Despite this penalty, he repeated the celebration against Delhi Capitals, resulting in a one-match ban. These incidents sparked debates among fans and pundits alike.

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As far as Virat Kohli is concerned, the former India captain is currently participating in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and West Indies. Kohli has not been able to replicate his IPL 2024 form at the T20 World Cup, scoring just 5 runs in three matches. Kohli will next be seen in action during the India vs Afghanistan Super 8 match on June 20.