Harshit Rana reacts after getting maiden India call-up: 'Above everyone else Gauti bhaiya'

On Thursday, the BCCI unveiled the Indian squads for their upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Harshit Rana is one of the players who has received his maiden India call-up. He recently won the IPL 2024 trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and his success with the ball there hasn't gone unnoticed. The current India head coach Gautam Gambhir was KKR's mentor at the time of Harshit Rana's impressive show in the IPL earlier this year.  

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Harshit Rana credits Gautam Gambhir for his national selection

Harshit Rana has finally reacted to his selection and has thanked his mentor Gautam Gambhir. Rana said that it is because of Gambhir that he has been selected in the Indian T20I side. He further credited Gambhir for changing his outlook toward the game and for improving his mindset. Gambhir's presence in the KKR dressing room has a direct link with Harshit Rana's national selection. 

"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. 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 bhaiya (Gautam Gambhir)," Harshit Rana told PTI on Thursday.

"If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiya's presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset. At the elite level, you require skills but more than skills you require the heart to handle the pressure. Gauti bhaiya would always tell me 'Mere ko tere pe trust hai. Tu match jeetake aayega'. (I trust you, you can win the match)," Rana recalled his interactions with the new India head coach," he added.'

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Amit Bhandari shares an interesting story about Harshit Rana

Amit Bhandari, a Delhi stalwart, who played a few ODIs for India between 2000 to 2004, narrated an interesting story.

"I didn't know who this boy was. In fact, when he came to me, he had not played for KKR but had played Ranji Trophy. He only called me up and said, 'sir, can you train me?'," Bhandari, who is an assistant coach with Gujarat Titans, remembered their first meeting.

"First day he came, I didn't give him a new ball but an old ball and told him the areas with an instruction. Just bowl and don't look at me or come to me. If I feel, I will call you." Bhandari was impressed enough to start working on the bowler.

"What I saw was a nice run-up but once he reached the crease, after load-up, everything needed a bit of work. The non-bowling hand, alignment and he was ready to work," he said.

Bhandari feels that Rana is someone, who has the potential to do well at international level.

"In Delhi, you always hear about corruption, groupism, nepotism. Now look at the bonafide Delhi greats. Most have within two years of Delhi debut played for India.

"Viru (Sehwag), Gauti (Gambhir), Ishant (Sharma), Rishabh (Pant) all had talent and didn't hover around domestic cricket for long. If you are a talented Delhi cricketer, system can't stop you. And if you aren't, then even in 15 years, you won't make it," Bhandari said.

(With PTI inputs)