Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return 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 after spending two years with Uttar Pradesh.

Rana, a former Delhi captain, had made the move to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, revealed the player's sentiments, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." Bharadwaj confirmed that Rana would be playing for Delhi this season, adding that he had advised him against leaving in the first place. He also noted that Rana's season with Uttar Pradesh was not particularly successful, acknowledging the intense pressure that professional cricketers face.

Bharadwaj believes this is a "wise decision" for Rana, as Delhi is where he developed his cricketing skills from a young age. He even earned his first call-up to the Indian national team while representing Delhi.

However, Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season was lackluster. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored only 111 runs in nine matches. He played only two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, managing a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he was removed from the team after a series of low scores, accumulating only 150 runs in four games.

While his return doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the Delhi side, the left-handed batsman will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams this year.

A source familiar with the situation stated that Delhi had urged Rana to stay when he requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2023. The source emphasized that Rana will have to earn his place in the team, as there are no guarantees of immediate selection.

Rana also had a disappointing IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals, who acquired him for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction. He managed only 217 runs in 11 appearances for the Royals.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen how Rana will be received within the Delhi team, considering his heated argument with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The umpires had to intervene to separate the two players.