IPL 2020: Nitish Rana Targets Being An All-Rounder For Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders middle-order batsman Nitish Rana has been one of the most dependable batsmen in their middle-order. Along with Dinesh Karthik, Nitish Rana will have the responsibility to shepherd the innings being the prominent Indian batters in the line-up. The southpaw, who will likely be in the starting eleven, aims to be a spin-bowling all-rounder.

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Nitish Rana famously claimed the wickets of AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli for KKR with his right-arm off-spin in 2018. That was his most defining moment as a bowler. It was also a match in which the youngster contributed 34 runs as the two-time champions chased down 177 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With the tracks in the UAE likely to assist spinners over pacemen, Rana could have more work to do with the ball as well.

Nitish Rana relishes the prospect of spinners having more advantage over fast bowlers, acknowledging that he has improved as a bowler. The 26-year old conceded that bowling is not new for him and has a four-wicket haul in T20s along with an economy rate of 6.98 in 39 fixtures.

“It’s good that spinners will get an advantage here so that I also will get some grip. I’ve improved as a player and a bowler. Hope I get more overs and help the team. Bowling is not a new thing for me. I’ve been bowling in domestic cricket,” Rana said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“I’m looking forward to learning many things from him” : Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana looks up to English limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, who returned to the franchise as KKR secured his services for INR 2.5 crores. The Delhi batsman hopes to imbibe some leadership qualities from Morgan, who is also a World Cup-winning skipper. The Dinesh Karthik-led side open their campaign on the 23rd of September against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi.

“I hope I also have that sort of leadership quality so that it helps in my domestic team and I grow as a player. He is one such rare left-handed batsman who dominates white-ball cricket. He’s a World Cup-winning captain of a successful country. I’m looking forward to learning many things from him,” he added.

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