Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana Poised for Delhi Return After Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is set to rejoin Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, two years after his move to Uttar Pradesh.

Nitish Rana representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," remarked Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana's childhood coach, highlighting the emotional pull of returning to his roots. Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Bharadwaj confirmed Rana's return, adding, "Yes, he will be playing for Delhi this season. I had asked him not to move out then also. He didn't have a great season with Uttar Pradesh. As a professional cricketer, you have too much pressure."

Bharadwaj emphasized the strategic aspect of this decision. "It is a wise decision from him that he is returning to Delhi. This is where he has played all his cricket, right from the age-group level. He even got his first India call-up while playing for Delhi. It is a smart move," he stated, acknowledging Rana's history and success with the Delhi team. Bharadwaj has been instrumental in the careers of several prominent cricketers, including Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, and Unmukt Chand.

Rana's tenure with Uttar Pradesh during the 2024-25 domestic season was notably underwhelming. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy saw him score only 111 runs across nine matches. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he played just two List A matches, accumulating a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he managed only 150 runs in four games, leading to his exclusion from the team.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically secure him a spot in the team, Rana is slated to participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams.

A source familiar with the situation clarified, "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, "He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana's performance in the IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also below expectations. Despite being acquired for a significant sum of Rs 4.20 crore, he scored only 217 runs in 11 innings.

The circumstances surrounding Rana's return to the Delhi team are noteworthy, particularly given his past altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals the previous year. The intensity of the confrontation necessitated intervention from the umpires to separate the two players.