Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana Set for Delhi Return After Uttar Pradesh Stint

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

Nitish Rana pictured playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," stated Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana's childhood coach, highlighting the emotional pull behind the decision. Bharadwaj confirmed to TimesofIndia.com that Rana would indeed be representing Delhi this season. He had previously advised Rana against leaving Delhi.

Bharadwaj 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," emphasizing the familiarity and past successes associated with his home team.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. His scores in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy amounted to a mere 111 runs across nine matches. He participated in only two Vijay Hazare Trophy List A matches, accumulating just 17 runs before being dropped. His Ranji Trophy performance also led to his exclusion from the team, with a total of 150 runs in four games.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the team, Rana is expected to 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, "This is not a dump station...He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away." This underscores the competitive environment within the Delhi team.

Rana's IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals was also subpar. Despite being acquired for a significant sum of Rs 4.20 crore, he managed only 217 runs in 11 innings.

Adding another layer of complexity, Rana was involved in a heated altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The umpires had to intervene to separate the two players. It remains to be seen how Rana's return will be received within the Delhi setup given this past conflict.