 "Harshit Rana misses Gautam Gambhir's presence in KKR dressing room: 'He has an aura'")
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Harshit Rana has said that he is missing the “aura” and “thrill factor” that Gautam Gambhir brought to the team last season. Gambhir, who was a mentor at KKR when they won the IPL 2024 title, left the franchise after becoming the head coach of the Indian cricket team last July.
Gambhir was replaced by former West Indies cricketer and Chennai Super Kings legend Dwayne Bravo, who has taken over the same role of mentor for IPL 2025 . Abhishek Nayar also returned to KKR this season after leaving his job as India’s batting coach, while Chandrakant Pandit continues as the head coach.
Speaking about the current environment at KKR, Harshit said, “The support staff is basically the same and even Nayar bhai is back. But yeah there was a thrill factor that I miss a little, speaking just for myself, not anyone else. But it’s nothing like that. It’s all the same, Chandu [Pandit] sir, Nayar bhai, Bravo. We are getting the kind of environment we want.”
“There have been changes of course since [Nayar] returned, because he has a very smart mind. He reads the game very well. And the Indian core of our team, he knows them very well. He only has helped develop them over many years. So, it helps us that he is back and it feels good,” he added.
Harshit Rana opens up about Gambhir’s absence at KKR
Harshit, who made his India debut in all three formats in the last six months under Gambhir’s leadership, admitted that he feels Gambhir’s absence at KKR this year. When asked what he missed the most, Harshit explained, “I wasn’t talking about anything personal. But you also know, he has an aura in the way he carries the team forward. I was just talking about that.”
The Delhi-born fast bowler will return to his home ground when KKR face Delhi Capitals on Tuesday (29 April). KKR are currently seventh on the points table with three wins, five losses, and one no-result after nine matches. They need a win against Delhi Capitals to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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