Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

After a two-year stint with Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is expected to return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season.

Nitish Rana showcasing his skills during an IPL match.

Rana, a former Delhi captain, had initially made the move to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, emphasized Rana's connection to his roots, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)."

Bharadwaj confirmed Rana's return, saying, "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."

He further added, "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," Bharadwaj, who has also mentored prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, noted.

Nitish Rana praising Starc's exceptional death bowling skills.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. He only scored 111 runs in nine matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was also poor, as he managed only 17 runs in two List A matches. Following a string of low scores, he was dropped from the Ranji Trophy team after scoring only 150 runs in four games.

Despite his return, a place in the Delhi side is not guaranteed. However, the left-handed batsman is expected to participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams this year.

A source close to the situation revealed, "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 also added, "He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana's performance in IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also subpar. Despite being bought for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction, he only managed to score 217 runs in 11 outings.

Rana's return to the Delhi team could be complicated. Last year, during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals, Rana was involved in a heated argument with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni. The umpires had to intervene to separate the two players.