IPL 2018 | KKR batsman Nitish Rana feels he excels playing under pressure

Nitish Rana must have been enjoying the IPL as good as anybody. The Delhi boy, who played for Mumbai Indians last year, was instrumental in some of their winning causes and as a result, in this year’s IPL auction, he managed to fetch a good amount for himself from Kolkata Knight Riders. Not letting his franchise’s hopes down, Rana delivered his best for KKR. During the match against Delhi Daredevils, the 24-year-old scored a magnificent half-century which helped the Knight Riders put up a big total of 200 runs. Despite regular wickets were falling down at one end, Rana played sensibly till the 19th over, coupled with some good calculative shots. 

"It was an important game for us since we had lost the last two in a row. After losing two back to back games in the hands of Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad KKR was under pressure to come good against Delhi. "I had said that the last time as well -- when there is pressure, I seem to do better. I was happy that there was pressure, I enjoy playing under pressure," Rana told reporters after the clash at the Eden Gardens on Monday.  

"Everyone has made a contribution in today's game. Take for example, Kuldeep's two wickets - Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell. We thought at that point in time, those wickets were very important. I don't think I had such a huge role, everyone's been assigned a certain responsibility, I just had to fulfill my part, so did the others."

The KKR batsman believes that Russell’s innings didn’t overshadow his performance and added that his plan is to play till the 20th over.

"Our styles and roles are different. Our game plan is pretty much so that I take care of one end, and if there is Russell or the other big-hitting guys that we have, they will go for their shots. The plan was to keep going till the very end. I was seeing the ball even in the first game, I knew I was batting well, even in the third match, unfortunately, I got out in that early. I kept it in my mind that I am in good touch, I should hold one end and finish the job. I always knew if the spinners come in, it's very easy for my game. I was waiting for them, both of who turn the ball into me. Our plan was always to go till the end," he concluded.