Harshit Rana, for whom IPL 2024 was a gamechanger as it fast-tracked his international debut to the tour Down Under, is still searching for his rhythm in the ongoing season for Kolkata Knight Riders. As the defending champions are precariously placed in seventh position of the rankings, the Delhi boy plans to make amends against Delhi Capitals in a must-win game on his familiar turf at the Kotla on Tuesday.

This season, Rana has been the de facto leader of the Knights’ fast bowling pack as they released the Australian veteran Mitchell Starc and Anrich Nortje of South Africa, coming out of an injury, has so far got only one game. ‘’My role has increased somewhat but I am not happy with my performance so far,’’ remarked the 23-year-old, who has picked up 11 wickets so far.

Both Rana and Vaibhav Arora, whose grooming took place under Abhishek Nayar’s supervision at the KKR academy in Mumbai over the past few years, failed to pose much of a problem against either the Gujarat Titans or Punjab Kings openers in their previous two matches at the Eden Gardens.

‘’The bounce at the Kotla wicket, as you have seen in Delhi’s last game against RCB on Monday, is low and the RCB spinners made good use of it. We also have to come to terms with the conditions quickly,’’ said Rana, who plays for Delhi in domestic cricket.

The return of Nayar to the support staff of the team after his axe from the Indian set-up suits Rana and the Indian core of the team – though he is candid about missing the influence of erstwhile mentor Gautam Gambhir in the franchise.

‘’Yes, I am missing him (Gambhir) somewhat for the aura with which he carried the team. However, the rest of the support staff is basically the same and Nayar bhai’s return is benefitting us. He is a very smart mind and knows the Indian core in the team well,’’ remarked Rana, who feels the the lifting of ban on use of saliva is helping the bowlers somewhat to derive reverse swing.

Replying to the obvious question of KKR batting floundering throughout the season, except in patches, Rana stood in defence of his teammates and saw hope, though they have to win five out of next five games. ‘’In cricket, things can go up and down. If our batters do well for next two games, you will say KKR has a long batting line-up,’’ he said.  

Delhi Capitals, their rivals on Tuesday, have been consistent by and large throughout the season, though their mentor Kevin Pietersen feels they are far away from playing the perfect game. “We haven’t quite hit our perfect game yet as a team. I think it’s more, we haven’t really played that complete game. For us to be sitting where we’re sitting with 12 points, knowing that we actually haven't really hit our straps in all departments, is a good thing.”

“Tonight, the guys believed we could win, even when Bengaluru were almost across the line, because of previous games that we have won. So, we haven’t played our perfect match yet, and I do believe that it's coming,” the charismatic former England star told Delhi Capitals media. 

KP, as he is popular as meanwhile, had words of praise for K.L. Rahul and the conversations he has had with the Indian batter. “KL has been playing in a very positive manner since late last year. We saw how he sealed the deal for India in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. I’ve had a lot of incredibly brilliant conversations with him about batting.”

Catch the match

Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Arun Jaitley Stadium, Tuesday, 29 April

Match starts: 7.30 pm IST