IPL 2024: Who is Harshit Rana? Everything You Need to Know About KKR's young pace sensation

Harshit Rana was introduced to the cricketing world for two reasons. First, he was applauded for his efforts in pulling off a match-winning over against Sunrisers Hyderabad for Kolkata Knight Riders in their first game of Indian Premier League 2024. He defended the 13 runs as the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and Shahbaz Ahmed were hitting the ball out of the park at will, even against Mitchell Starc. As a result, KKR won the nail-biter match by just four runs. 

The other reason that dominated headlines the next day was his conduct on the ground. Understandably, fast bowlers do get heated up when they are engrossed in their drill, but Rana went to a further extent. As Rana claimed the wicket of SRH’s opener Mayank Agarwal’s wicket, he walked up to him and blew a flying kiss as a send-off gesture. The incident was much talked about and legendary Sunil Gavaskar had also condemned the gesture. He was penalised 60 percent of his match fee.

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“Rana shouldn’t have done that. Did the batsman do anything to him when he was hitting him for sixes? Cricket can be played without these antics. It’s the age of television. I understand that. Celebrate with your teammates, but no need for such antics for the opposition,” Gavaskar said on air for Star Sports.

Rana started off as net bowler for Gujarat Titans 

The right-arm pacer got his maiden opportunity for KKR in 2022, as then captain Nitish Rana recommended his name to Abhishek Nayar when the trials were underway. Nitish had summoned Harshit as Rasikh Salam had injured his back. As KKR was looking for a replacement, Nitish went for Harshit, up until then he was a net bowler for Gujarat Titans in 2022.

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Coming from Delhi, he has played seven first-class games and has claimed 28 wickets with the best figures of 7 for 45. His List A performance stands as he has played 14 matches and has snared 22 wickets with his best performance of four for 17 runs. The 22-year-old has also represented Delhi’s under-19 team and North Zone in his career so far.