Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

After a two-year sojourn with Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is on the verge of returning to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season.

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

Rana, a former captain of Delhi, made the switch to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, shared his thoughts with TimesofIndia.com, stating, "There's no place like home." Bharadwaj confirmed Rana's return, saying, "Yes, he will be playing for Delhi this season. I had advised him against leaving in the first place. His season with Uttar Pradesh wasn't particularly successful. Professional cricketers face immense pressure."

Bharadwaj believes this is a strategic move for Rana. "It is a wise decision from him that he is returning to Delhi. This is where he has honed his skills since his early days. He even received his first India call-up while representing Delhi. It's a smart move," added Bharadwaj, who has also mentored prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand, and Priyansh Arya.

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

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the team, 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 emphasized that Rana will have to earn his place in the Delhi squad. "This is not a dumping ground. When he requested the No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2023, we urged him to stay and play for Delhi," the source revealed. "He will have to prove his worth. There is no assurance that he will be given an immediate opportunity."

Rana's IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals was also subpar, despite being acquired for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction. He managed to score only 217 runs in 11 appearances for the Royals.

The circumstances surrounding Rana's return to the Delhi unit remain uncertain. Last year, during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals, he had a heated argument with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni. The umpires had to intervene and separate the two players as tensions escalated.