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Amidst the lively banter of the Knight Dugout show’s second episode, Nitish Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) esteemed vice-captain, joined Captain Shreyas Iyer as they engaged in a captivating exchange with host Cyrus Broacha. The show ventured into the personal and professional realms, prompting Nitish to offer intriguing insights into his tenure as KKR’s stand-in captain in 2023 and the steadfast support he received from the team’s management. In a poignant moment, Nitish’s emotions welled up as he recounted his father’s cherished dreams.
The Emotional Journey: Fulfilling father’s dreams
During the heartfelt conversation, Nitish shared a touching anecdote that ignited his resolve to fulfill his father’s aspirations by purchasing a Mercedes car. Reflecting on his father’s perseverance despite his handicap, Nitish fondly remembered how his family’s modest means only allowed for the ownership of an automatic Maruti Suzuki 800. He vividly recalled an incident where his father, upon spotting a Mercedes car during a journey, advised him to look away. It was in that moment that Nitish made a silent promise to grant his father the luxury of a Mercedes someday.
“There was a time when my Dad had a Maruti 800 and he’s handicapped, so we could only afford that automatic car because it was the cheapest. Once while travelling in that, we saw a Mercedes and I really liked it, however my dad told me to look away because it was very costly,” Nitish said.
“There and then I decided whenever I have enough money, the first car I would buy would be a Mercedes and when I bought it for my dad, it was a very emotional moment for me and my Dad,” the 30-year-old added.
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Leadership amidst adversity: Nitish Rana’s IPL journey
A mainstay in the Indian Premier League (IPL) circuit, Nitish Rana commanded a hefty retention price of INR 8 crore by KKR ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. Originally acquired by the franchise in 2018 for Rs 3.40 crore, Rana’s leadership mettle came to the fore when he assumed the mantle of captaincy in Shreyas Iyer’s absence during the IPL 2023 season. Despite grappling with the pressures of leadership, Nitish expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering backing he received from both the KKR management and the ardent fan base.
“There was some pressure because I was captaining for the first time. However, I received unmatchable support from the team management as well as the people of Kolkata and I really needed it. I’ve been playing here for seven years now and I’ve been showered with lots of love. The amount of love I’ve received from the fans as a KKR player has been incredible,” the Delhi-born cricketer added.
A setback on the field in IPL 2024
However, Nitish’s IPL 2024 campaign has been marred by a finger injury, limiting his appearances for KKR to just one match thus far. Despite an impressive outing in the team’s opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Nitish has found himself sidelined due to the setback, eagerly awaiting his return to the field to contribute to KKR’s quest for IPL glory.
