'He called to tell me that I will be...' - Nitish Rana reveals call from Rahul Dravid after he felt unwell before CSK game

The star Rajasthan Royals batter Nitish Rana played a sensational and match-winning knock of 81 runs to help his side beat CSK by a narrow 6-run margin. Rana also won the ‘Player of the Match award for his brilliant knock to hand RR their first win in the tournament after facing two consecutive defeats.

Meanwhile, Nitish Rana revealed that it was a call from the head coach Rahul Dravid, that motivated him to forget about his health being down and hitting a decisive knock for his side. Notably, Rana came to bat number three and smashed 81 runs off just 31 balls, with 10 fours and five sixes.

“He called me after I missed practice” – Nitish Rana on Rahul Dravid

He also revealed that Rahul Dravid had informed him about his batting order in the game against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Sunday.

“Those two points were extremely important. We probably should've got that at the start of the tournament but it's ok, there were lots of learnings to take as well from the first two matches and we could implement those things in this game and take the two points,” said Rana in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals on their official X handle (formerly Twitter).

“Rahul sir had called me yesterday after I missed practice because I wasn't feeling too well. He called to tell me that I would be batting at No.3, and I am always ready for this kind of challenge. I enjoy it when someone banks on me and I like taking that responsibility,” he added later.

Furthermore, Rana spoke about his mindset and approach he tried to implement after a chat with the head coach Rahul Dravid over call.

“So, when he said that to me I analysed myself 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,” he said.