'Didn't plan flying-kiss send-off' - Harshit Rana opens up on famous celebration during IPL 2024

Harshit Rana, the young pacer for the Kolkata Knight Riders, was recently asked about his famous flying-kiss celebration and whether he would replicate it against Virat Kohli, whom he dismissed in IPL 2024, albeit on a delivery which was talked about with regards to its legality. Rana, who claimed 19 wickets in 11 innings during KKR's title-winning campaign in 2024, responded with a rather humorous reply.

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Notably, Rana first performed against Sunrisers Hyderabad's Mayank Agarwal. He confessed that the celebration was not premeditated, neither against SRH nor against the Delhi Capitals, where he was fined 100% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. He also explained that he has no intention of repeating the celebration, attributing the hype around it to the public's reaction.

"Virat ke saamne karoge, kya Virat ko flying-kiss de paoge? (will the same be done against Kohli, will you be able to execute the flying-kiss celebration against Kohli?)," asked Shubhankar, during a conversation with Harshit.

"Sir, matlab mai bata rahu hu aapko ki aesa mai pehle match mein bhi sochke nahi gaya tha ki karna hai. Aur dusre match mein bhi aesa kuch...matlab log mujhe relate karne lag gaye the ki RCB waale match mein karke dikhaaiyo (Sir, frankly speaking, I never really went in with the thought of celebrating that way I did during the match against SRH. The same was the case even in the second match. But by then, cricket fans all over had already associated me with the celebration, and had sort of given a challenge of doing it same against RCB)," shared Harshit.    

Harshit Rana: "I didn't tease Virat Kohli. I have respect for him, as I do for all players. But in front of him, you shouldn't do such things (Flying Kiss) anyway."😂❤️ pic.twitter.com/YuefR35ZYb

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) June 17, 2024

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In response to Harshit's explanation, Shubhankar noted that Kohli's aggression and zest are well-known throughout the cricketing fraternity. He highlighted Kohli's no-nonsense attitude and tendency to retaliate on the field when provoked. Harshit wholeheartedly agreed, explaining that this was precisely why he refrained from any celebratory gestures against a player of Virat's stature. He emphasized his respect for all players, particularly Kohli.

"Because it's Virat...Virat ka aggression logo ne dekha hai. Har baat pe aggressive hote hai aur voh dete bhi hai. Agar aapne chheda hai toh voh bhi chhedenge (everyone's wary of Kohli's aggression. He's pumped up on the most miniscule of instances and he very well has the capability of giving it back as well. If you've confronted him, then he'll not back down and will come up to you with equal intensity)," mentioned Shubhankar. 

"Toh isliye maine chheda nahi sir. Respect hai unke liye. Respect sab playero ke liye hai par unke saamne waise bhi nahi karna sir (and that's precisely why I didn't take my chance against him, sir. I have immense respect for him. In fact, I have respect for each player but I wouldn't have celebrated the way I did in front of him anyways, sir)," reasoned a chucking Harshit.