NEWS
Follow UsNitish Rana slammed his first ton in Ranji Trophy after four years, coming against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, on Saturday (January 27). Rana admits he took the foot off the pedal especially when the world came to a standstill due to Covid-19. There was no first-class cricket in India in 2021 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 was also played in two legs.
Following his century, Rana is keen to prove to himself that he is a good red-ball player.
"During the Covid years, when the IPL was held in two phases, I had stopped focusing on red-ball cricket a little bit," Rana told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium.
"So that set me back somewhat. This year I have worked very hard with the red ball because I wanted to prove, not to anyone else but myself, that I can be a good red-ball player."
UP were reduced to 136 for 4 when Rana walked in and soon found themselves five-down for 152 after bowling Mumbai out for 198. Despite being under the pump, Rana did not shy away from his natural game, getting off the mark with a couple of sixes off Shams Mulani.
"Playing strokes is in my blood," Rana said.
"I try to play according to the situation. We were chasing [347] when I scored the 68-ball hundred [vs Vidarbha, 2020]. Today, the wicket was so good that I wanted to keep my shape and play my game.
"I have played for three years on this wicket for Mumbai Indians. There is value for money on this wicket, and I always wish that I should get at least one match on this pitch every year. I was trying to back my shots."
Rana was eventually dismissed for 106 off 120 deliveries but his effort had ensured UP had taken a healthy 126-run first innings lead. It was a sense of vindication for Rana, who moved to UP from Delhi for this season and was also named captain of the side.
"Hundred always gives you satisfaction," Rana said.
"It was my mistake that I wasn't focusing on red-ball cricket. A lot of people had started talking that I wasn't a red-ball player and I would not have had to listen to that talk [if I had given the format more attention]. From the time I switched from Delhi, my target has been to make my name in red-ball cricket again."
Speaking of the UP dressing room, Rana says he did not feel out of place one bit, given that he knew many people there. "I know 14 of them in the 15-member squad," he said.
"I have played with Ankit [Rajpoot] from Under-16 days, with Rinku [Singh] for six years [at Kolkata Knight Riders], Akshdeep [Nath] for eight years. One of the reasons is, I know everyone here. I never felt like I came to a new team."
The southpaw adds that he has no regrets moving away from Delhi. "It was in my mind that the dressing-room atmosphere was not good for my career," he said.
"I felt that a change was necessary for my career. The switch was necessary. I have always looked at UP as an elite team and I know people here. I have luckily got a team where I am getting respect here."
While Rana is focused on scoring bigger tons, his good performance in the IPL and white-ball cricket in general had earned him a call-up into the Indian squad for the Sri Lanka tour in 2021, but was not picked again after playing an ODI and a couple of T20Is.
"It [Playing for India] is always at the back of the mind of every player," Rana said.
"Even I want to play for India. But the hard work that is needed to make it is what I am willing to work for. Since 2018, my name has been doing the rounds. Sometimes, that frustration has only affected my game."
