[Watch] Harshit Rana brings back 'flying kiss' celebration after dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad in Duleep Trophy 2024
Playing for India D, Harshit Rana got the better of India C captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 fixture at Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur. Gaikwad perished cheaply on the opening day of the four-day match.
India C bundled out India D for a paltry score of 164 after winning the toss and choosing to field first. India C were off to a dismal start with the bat, losing openers early.
The onus was on Gaikwad to steady the ship for his team after his opening partner Sai Sudharsan departed in the fifth over, courtesy of Harshit Rana. However, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper failed to make a significant impact, scoring just five runs off 19 balls during his brief stay at the crease.
Rana provided his team with yet another big breakthrough, dismissing Gaikwad in the seventh over. The right-handed batter lost his wicket after being caught in the slips while trying to defend a short of length delivery around the off stump.
Interestingly, while celebrating the wicket, Rana brought back his infamous 'flying kiss' send-off, which became a talking point during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL 2024).
You can watch the video of Ruturaj Gaikwad's dismissal and Harshit Rana's flying kiss celebration below:
It is worth mentioning that Harshit Rana landed in trouble for the flying kiss celebration in IPL 2024. The 22-year-old was fined 60 per cent of his match fees for his send-off to Mayank Agarwal in the league stage.
Interestingly, KKR co-owner and Indian movie star Shah Rukh Khan cheekily gave the camera a flying kiss after the team's comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. The entire KKR contingent later mimicked the flying kiss pose during their victory celebration.
"I wouldn't do it in front of him" - When Harshit Rana said he would not do the flying kiss celebration after dismissing Virat Kohli
After coping with a heavy fine, Harshit Rana gained limelight for all the wrong reasons yet again with an aggressive send-off after Abhishek Porel's (Delhi Capitals) wicket in IPL 2024. The seamer received a one-match ban for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.
Following multiple animated send-offs, Rana was asked on journalist Shubhankar Mishra's podcast about the chances of him doing the same after dismissing Virat Kohli. Responding to the question, he said:
"I am telling you. I didn't pre-determine that I'll go and do it in the first match. And even in the second game. People dared me to try and do it in the RCB match. But I didn't tease him [Kohli]. I have respect for him. I have respect for every player, but no, I wouldn't do it in front of him."
Following an impressive IPL season, where he bagged 19 wickets from 11 innings, Harshit Rana earned his maiden India call-up. He was picked in the squad for the Men in Blue's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka last month. However, he didn't feature in the playing XI in any of the fixtures.