'Gautam Gambhir isn't scared of...' - Nitish Rana's colossal take on next India head coach
In the last few months, Gautam Gambhir's stature has gone on to the next level in Indian cricket. Gambhir played a vital role in the Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2024 triumph and is now in the race to become India's next head coach.
Recently, KKR's vice-captain Nitish Rana opened up on his camaraderie with Gautam Gambhir. Rana has known Gambhir for a long time now and considers him as his idol. Both Rana and Gambhir have played for Delhi's Ranji Trophy team for several years with Gambhir being the senior.
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Nitish Rana opens up on his biggest learning from Gautam Gambhir
During a podcast with TRS on the YouTube channel, Nitish Rana was asked about how Gautam Gambhir's narrative changed in the past few months. Rana revealed that Gambhir's honesty is his biggest strength and he isn't scared of being judged.
"He has his own way of working. He has a unique way of living his life. He is not scared of being judged, which is his biggest strength. He is someone who is very honest. People have taken my honesty in a wrong way every time. They call it my arrogance. If I don't like anything and I will say that bluntly. I don't want to be judged on that. This trait of mine has come from Gauti bhaiya (Gautam Gambhir) because I have been with him in the dressing room for such a long time in domestic cricket and while playing for the same club," Rana said during the podcast.
The outside noise is something that professional cricketers have to deal with almost every day. Rana revealed the method of how Gautam Gambhir wants his players to deal with it.
"He has taught me that you're only answerable to the people in the dressing room and not to the people outside the dressing room which includes people on social media, media, journalists, interviewers," Rana mentioned.
So if you have done anything wrong in a game and you've lost the match, then you must have the guts to accept your mistakes in front of the people in the dressing room. If you can build this character, then you'll never fail in life. This was a big learning for me," the 30-year-old left-hander added.
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KKR won its third IPL title this year
Gautam Gambhir's presence in the Kolkata Knight Riders' dressing room was pivotal in the team's IPL triumph this year. Gambhir was roped in as KKR's mentor before this season and that paid huge dividends for the franchise.
KKR were formidable this year as they dominated the season throughout. They topped the points table after the group stages and then thrashed a dangerous Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in the final.
The Shreyas Iyer-led side played with freedom and intent as they excelled in every department. Meanwhile, vice-captain Nitish Rana played just two games in the season because of an injury. Rana became fit just in time before the playoffs and played the all-important final as well.
