Duleep Trophy | Twitter goes gaga as Harshit Rana brings back his ‘flying kiss’ celebration scalping Ruturaj Gaikwad

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

09/05/2024

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Celebrations are often linked with bowlers taking wickets, and Harshit Rana has taken these celebrations to the next level. This was vividly showcased during the match between India D and India C in Anantapur, where Rana brought back his flying kiss celebration after dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad.

‌India D struggled with the bat, losing their top order within the first 10 overs. However, a crucial 84-run partnership between Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh provided some much-needed relief, guiding their side to a total of 159/8 in 47 overs. Unfortunately, the partnership couldn’t sustain the momentum, and India D was eventually bowled out for 164 runs. In reply, India C also had a rough start with the wickets of Sai Sudharsan and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s culminated in Harshit Rana’s celebration.

On the final ball of the fifth over, Rana delivered a fuller-length ball from around the wicket, targeting the leg stump. The ball exhibited unexpected bounce and drifted wider than Sudharsan anticipated. The Tamil Nadu batter attempted a flick towards the leg side but misjudged the bounce. Consequently, the ball edged off the bat and flew towards the wicketkeeper, Srikar Bharat. Bharat, quick on his feet, dove to his right and made an exceptional catch. Rana, visibly elated, leapt into the air and erupted in a spectacular celebration.

Moments later, Rana was back in action, performing his signature celebration after dismissing India C captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in the seventh over. The scene instantly evoked memories of the Indian Premier League, where Rana popularized the 'flying kiss' gesture with Mayank Agarwal, sparking a frenzy on Twitter.

Celebration is back!!

— Gill Bill (@bill_gill76078)

Breakthrough!

— Gill Bill (@bill_gill76078)

Fantastic start

Fantastic start here for Harshit Rana !! 🔥🔥

Gets the wicket of both openers of India C !!

Ruturaj Gaikwad: 5

Sai Sudarshan: 7
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng)

Gone

Rutu Gaikwad Gone for 5 Runs 💔

Harshit Rana On Fire 2 Wickets Sai & Rutu Took Both Wickets .
— SHARK CRIC (@CricketGayata)

It's back

Harshit Rana with the flying kiss celebration. 😂💪
— KnightRidersXtra (@KRxtra)

Not good

Harshit Rana gets Ruturaj & Sudharsan in the space of 5 balls.

Not a good start for Ruturaj Gaikwad!!
— abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13)

Knocking the door

Akash Deep, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan knocking the door....

Meanwhile,

Harshit Rana breaking the door to get into Indian Test team 👌
— Maneesh Solanki (@ManeeshSol84)

The new one