Among the current crop of young Indian bowlers, Harshit Rana left a lasting impression on everyone in the recently held IPL 2024 season.

Rana played a key role in KKR’s third IPL title win, returning with 19 wickets from 11 innings at an average and economy rate of 20.15 and 9.08 respectively.

Besides his stunning bowling display, Harshit Rana caught everyone’s attention with his on-field aggression.

A noteworthy incident that took place was when KKR faced SRH at the Eden Gardens on March 23. The right-arm quick had given a ‘flying kiss’ send-off to Mayank Agarwal after dismissing the SRH opener.

Rana, who was fined 60 percent of his match fee for this act, recently clarified that his celebration was not predetermined and there was no ill intention behind it.

"I didn't deliberately do it – the flying kiss. When I took the wicket of Mayank bhaiya… actually when he hit the ball in the air, I got close to him during my follow-through. It happened instinctively and it came out. The cameraman focussed on it well. I met him [Mayank] again in the final and told him there was no malice. He understood. He and I have had this equation. I had a bit of it [banter] during the Duleep Trophy match as well," the KKR pacer told Shubhankar Mishra on his podcast.

"A lot has changed since the flying kiss. When people come up to me, that's the first thing they ask. Feels nice to know that people remember me for it. When people relate it to me," he added.

Harshit Rana's flying kiss celebration was the talk of the town in the early phase of IPL 2024. The legendary Rohit Sharma also recreated it in front of Agarwal ahead of MI's game against SRH.

Rana revealed that he discussed his celebration with the MI opener and got a pretty positive response.

"I had a word with Rohit bhaiya during the MI game. He said 'if you're enjoying it, keep doing it. No problem there."

In another match against Delhi Capitals, Harshit Rana brought out ‘finger on lips’ celebration after taking the wicket of Abhishek Porel.

Rana was charged guilty a second time for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. This time he was fined 100 percent of his match fee while also being banned for one game.

The KKR fast bowler said he was challenged by some fans to replicate his celebrations against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which includes star batter Virat Kohli.

"I am telling you. I didn't pre-determine that I'll go and do it in the first match. And even in the second game. People dared me to try and do it in the RCB match. But I didn't tease him [Kohli]. I have respect for him. I have respect for every player, but no, I wouldn't do it in front of him," said Rana.