Gautam Gambhir’s Mentorship Propels Harshit Rana to Maiden India ODI Call-Up

Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana’s maiden call-up to the national ODI team for the upcoming series marks a significant milestone in his cricketing career. The 22-year-old speedster, hailing from the bustling streets of Delhi’s South Extension, has overcome numerous challenges to earn his place alongside cricketing legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Rana’s path to success was anything but straightforward. Despite facing setbacks and overlooked opportunities in age-group teams, his determination never wavered. His breakthrough came during the recent IPL season, where he claimed an impressive 19 wickets for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), catching the attention of national selectors.

Reflecting on his journey, Rana expressed gratitude to three pivotal figures who played crucial roles in his development: his father Pradeep, his personal coach Amit Bhandari, and Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

“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 bhaiyya (Gautam Gambhir),” Rana shared with News18.

Gautam Gambhir’s influence on Rana’s mental approach to the game has been transformative. The former Indian opener instilled confidence and a winning mindset in the young pacer during his time with KKR. 

“If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya’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 bhaiyya would always tell me ‘Mere ko tere pe trust hai. Tu match jeetake aayega’ (I trust you, you can win the match),” Rana recalled.

This mentorship extended beyond technical skills, focusing on handling pressure and overcoming fears. “If you ask about the pressure part, it is Gautam Gambhir’s advice. He would say, ‘what’s the worst thing that will happen? You will get hit and we can lose the match. But if you don’t face your fears, how will you overcome them?’” Rana added.

Rana’s growth as a bowler is also attributed to the dedicated efforts of his personal coaches, Amit Bhandari and Narinder Singh Negi. Bhandari, a former India and Delhi pacer, recognized Rana’s potential and worked on refining his bowling action and alignment. 

“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. 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,” Bhandari recalled.

Under Bhandari’s guidance, Rana’s ability to execute crucial deliveries has significantly improved, as evidenced by his impressive record in white-ball cricket. He has taken 22 wickets in 14 Vijay Hazare Trophy games and 28 wickets in 25 T20 matches, showing his consistency and skill in limited-overs formats.

Rana’s journey from the streets of Delhi to the national team is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the invaluable support of his mentors. As he prepares to don the Indian jersey and step onto the field with cricketing icons, Rana’s story serves as an inspiration to many aspiring cricketers.