Rajasthan Royals' Nitish Rana has revealed how a motivating phone call from head coach Rahul Dravid helped him recover from a health setback and produce a match-winning performance against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 season. Rana, who was feeling unwell a day before the game, attributed his stunning knock of 81 off just 36 balls to the clarity provided by Dravid, which helped him mentally prepare for the match.
RANA'S HEALTH STRUGGLES BEFORE THE BIG GAME
The day before the game against CSK, Rana was unable to attend practice due to illness. However, his outlook shifted after he received a call from Rahul Dravid, who provided him with a clear understanding of his role for the upcoming match.
“Rahul, sir called me the day after I missed practice because I wasn't feeling well. He told me that I would be batting at No. 3, and I was excited about the challenge,” Rana shared. “I enjoy it when someone places their trust in me, and I love taking on that responsibility.”
CLARITY ON ROLE HELPS RANA BOUNCE BACK STRONG
Rana's decision to take responsibility for his batting position proved crucial. After struggling in the first two matches of the tournament, where he batted at No. 4 and posted low scores (11 off 8 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 8 off 9 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders), he was moved up the order to bat at No. 3 against CSK. This change, coupled with his focused mindset, saw him smash 81 runs off just 36 balls, including five sixes and 10 fours, as he dominated the CSK bowlers.
“I was trying to do the same thing in the first two matches, but when you come into the game with a solid plan and give yourself an edge by analyzing the conditions beforehand, it makes a huge difference,” said Rana. “This approach has worked for me throughout my career, and it was no different this time. When the right time comes, the runs follow.”
RANA REFLECTS ON RR'S IMPORTANT WIN
Rana expressed how vital the victory was for the Rajasthan Royals, particularly after a rough start to the season. They had been hammered in their opening two matches by Sunrisers Hyderabad and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders. "The two points were extremely important for us," Rana said in a video posted on RR’s official Twitter handle. “We probably should have gotten them earlier in the tournament, but it’s okay. We learned a lot from the first two losses, and we were able to implement those lessons in this game to claim the win.”
CONCLUSION: MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND PREPARATION MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Rana’s performance highlighted the importance of mental preparation and clarity in overcoming physical setbacks. His ability to adapt to a new role and execute a well-thought-out game plan helped him lead Rajasthan Royals to a crucial victory. Thanks to Dravid’s motivational call, Rana was able to channel his energy and focus on his strengths, ultimately turning the game in RR’s favor with his explosive innings.
Catch all the match highlights, scorecard, and key moments from this CSK vs RR clash right here.
