New Delhi: Though Kolkata Knight Riders have nearly a similar look to their coaching staff compared to last year, yet Harshit Rana believes they have somehow missed the presence of Gautam Gambhir.
After driving the team to their third IPL title last year, Gambhir left his role as KKR mentor to become head coach of the Indian cricket team. Rana benefitted from Gambhir’s mentorship, claiming 19 wickets in their title-winning campaign.
Rana then went from strength to strength and made debut for India in all the three formats. But after Gambhir’s departure, KKR have struggled in their title defence this year and are placed seventh with seven points from nine matches.
Rana said he is grateful towards Gambhir for having shown faith in his abilities and elevating his game. Asked if he misses the former India batter in KKR’s dougut, Rana said: “I won’t say that because composition of our support staff is basically the same (from last year). (Abhishek) Nayar Bhai has also come back. Chandu Sir, (Dwayne) Bravo are all good. But yes, there is this thrill factor which I miss a little. I am not talking about anyone else.”
“You also know that Gambhir has an aura, the way he comes and takes the team along. I was just talking about that.”
While Gambhir remains at the helm of India, Abhishek Nayar has returned to KKR as part of their coaching staff after the BCCI sacked him from assistant coach’s post with the Indian team after their poor show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Harshit welcomed Nayar’s return, saying: “There will be a lot of changes now that he (Abhishek Nayar) has come back. Because he is a very smart mind. He reads situations very well and he knows the Indian core of our (KKR) team very well. He has groomed them for many years. So we also get a lot of help now that he has come back. So it feels good.
“There have been a lot of changes in my thought process as to how I play the game. Here, in KKR, the role has increased a little. That I have to do it. So it’s a good thing. I like it.”
After driving KKR to their third IPL title last year, Gautam Gambhir left his role as mentor to become head coach of the Indian cricket team. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
