Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana Set to Rejoin Delhi After Two-Year Stint in Uttar Pradesh

Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is reportedly returning to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, two years after moving to Uttar Pradesh.

Nitish Rana showcases his skills playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," said Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana's childhood coach, highlighting the emotional connection behind the player's decision. Bharadwaj confirmed that Rana will indeed be playing for Delhi this season. He also admitted that Rana didn't have a great season with Uttar Pradesh. As a professional cricketer, you have too much pressure.

Bharadwaj believes this is a smart move for Rana, emphasizing that Delhi is where he developed as a cricketer, from the age-group level to his first India call-up. He is hopeful that this change will revive Rana's career.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored only 111 runs in nine games. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was limited to two List A matches, where he managed a mere 17 runs before being dropped. Furthermore, he was removed from the Ranji Trophy team due to a series of low scores, accumulating only 150 runs in four games.

His return to Delhi doesn't automatically secure him a spot in the team. However, the left-handed batsman is expected to participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams.

A source close to the situation stated, "This is not a dump station. When he asked for the No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2023, we had requested him to stay and play for Delhi." The source further added that Rana will have to earn his place in the team, and there are no guarantees of immediate selection.

Rana's performance in IPL 2025 with the Rajasthan Royals was also below expectations. Despite being bought for a significant sum of Rs 4.20 crore in the auction, he only managed 217 runs in 11 outings.

The circumstances surrounding Rana's return to Delhi are noteworthy, considering a past altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The heated exchange required intervention from the umpires to separate the two players. It remains to be seen how this dynamic will affect Rana's integration into the Delhi team.