Nitish Rana Set for Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Spell

Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Uttar Pradesh Stint

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

Nitish Rana during an IPL match.

Rana's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, confirmed the news, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." He further added, "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, who has mentored players like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, believes this is a "wise decision" for Rana. "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 said.

Nitish Rana praises Starc's bowling prowess.

The 2024-25 domestic season saw Nitish Rana struggle while representing Uttar Pradesh. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was subpar, with only 111 runs in nine games. He only played two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, scoring 17 runs before being dropped. A string of low scores also led to his removal from the Ranji Trophy team, where he managed just 150 runs in four games.

While his return to Delhi doesn't guarantee an immediate spot in the team, Nitish Rana 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 emphasized that Rana would need to earn his place in the Delhi side. "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 said. "He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Nitish Rana also had a disappointing IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals, scoring only 217 runs in 11 games, despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore.

His relationship with current Delhi captain Ayush Badoni could also be a factor. The two were involved in a heated altercation during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year, requiring the umpires to intervene.