Nitish Rana braces for opportunity in Indian colours for Sri Lanka tour

Nitish Rana started the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League with a bang - a constant feature of his IPL career in the last four years. With the Indian selectors set to announce a completely different squad for the Sri Lanka white-ball series, the chances of Rana being picked are high. Naturally, he is hoping for a reward to prove his worth on the international stage when the Indian team is picked for July's tour of Sri Lanka.

"It is there at the back of my mind that my name should come (in the squad) and I am prepared for that because I feel my name would come," Nitish told PTI in an interview when asked whether he is hoping for a call-up.

"If you pick and see my record for the last three years in white-ball be it domestic or the IPL, I have performed well and I feel that I will get the reward for it today or tomorrow. And I feel I am ready for international cricket and I am waiting for that like they say one call away...I am waiting for that call...," added the 27-year-old left-handed batsman, who also bowls off-break.

India is set to travel to Sri Lanka for a T20 and ODI series and the team would comprise all white-ball specialists as the Test team would be playing in England at the same time. Rana, who scored 201 runs from seven matches in the currently-suspended IPL, also reflected on the season.

"To be very honest, from the last 3-4 years, it has been a pattern for me that I start the season well, in mid-season, I have 2-3 flop innings and then at the end of the season I play 1-2 innings well.

"So always, the total (runs) scored are in between 330-400," he said.

He said he does not really know how to react to the IPL's suspension at this point.

"We have got a break this season, so I am unable to understand whether I should be happy or sad. I should be unhappy because I have been reflecting on why my season goes this way as I am trying to be consistent for myself and my franchise.

(With inputs from PTI)