Nitish Rana reveals Rahul Dravid forced him to play vs CSK despite being unwell

Nitish Rana has stormed back into the spotlight with a blazing match-winning knock for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30. After facing crushing defeats against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals made a stunning comeback in the league, thanks to Nitish Rana's power-packed knock.

The Royals were under immense pressure after losing their first two games, and Rana himself was struggling with poor health leading up to the IPL 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings. Rana revealed that he was unwell just a day before the game, and even he missed the practice.

Rahul Dravid’s call ignites Nitish Rana’s firepower against CSK

But the RR head coach Rahul Dravid’s call reignited his fire, and he prepared himself mentally and made the most of the opportunity against the CSK. The head coach made it clear that Rana would bat at No. 3 and instilled confidence with the responsibility to anchor the innings.

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Batting at No. 3 for the first time this season, Rana unleashed his full potential and went on a rampage. He smashed 81 runs off just 36 balls, lighting up the field with five towering sixes and 10 scorching fours. It was a fearless and calculated assault, leaving the CSK bowlers shell-shocked.

I enjoy it when someone banks on me: Nitish Rana on RR head coach's trust

In the first two matches, he had struggled with single-digit scores while batting at No. 4. But when given the responsibility to move up the order, he embraced the challenge and delivered when it mattered most and silenced his critics but also helped the Royals to get the much-needed two points.

Nitish Rana said in a video posted on X by Rajasthan Royals: “Rahul sir had called me yesterday after I missed practice because I wasn't feeling too well. He called to tell me that I will be batting at No. 3, and I am always ready for these kinds of challenges.

I enjoy it when someone banks on me, and I like taking that responsibility. So, when he said that to me, I analyzed the kind of shots I can play on this wicket, which will help me and my team. That is what I banked on, and when the time comes, the runs come.”

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Nitish Rana opens up about his fiery knock

After struggling in the first two matches, the former KKR batter focused on analyzing the game and fine-tuning his approach a day before the clash against CSK.

This helped Rana to deliver a match-winning performance for the Royals against CSK and proved that the right mindset and strategy can turn things around.

Rana signed off by saying, “I was trying to do the same in the first two matches as well, but the reality is that when you come with your own game plan and give yourself an edge by analyzing the game a day before, that helps a lot. It has helped me throughout the year in all kinds of cricket that I have played, and I was concentrating on that same process. Finally, it bore fruit.”