I had skills but Gautam bhai changed my mindset in KKR, says Harshit Rana

"Delhi mein dil tooth sakta hai par humne kabhi hausla nahi haraa (You can get hurt in Delhi but I never lost hope)." These were an emotional Harshit Rana's first words after learning about his maiden call-up in the Indian ODI team comprising icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The 22-year-old speedster from Delhi's South Extension, who did the tough grind since the junior levels, often got overlooked, but one stellar IPL season of 19 wickets in Kolkata Knight Riders' triumphant campaign brought him into the national reckoning.

"I believed in working hard but whenever I used to get hurt after being overlooked in age-group teams, I would sit in my room and start sobbing. My father Pradeep never ever gave up hope.

"If I have to name three people whom I am indebted to in this beautiful journey of mine, then it is my father for his efforts, my personal coach Amit Bhandari sir (former India and Delhi pacer) and above everyone else Gauti bhaiyya (Gautam Gambhir)," Rana told PTI during an