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

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 also coached prominent 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.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was subpar. He scored only 111 runs in nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games and a mere 17 runs in two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. His Ranji Trophy performance was also disappointing, with just 150 runs in four games.

Nitish Rana praises Starc's exceptional death bowling skills.

While his return to Delhi doesn't guarantee an automatic spot in the team, Rana will 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 will have to earn his place in the team. "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 stated. "He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana's recent IPL season with the Rajasthan Royals was also underwhelming, as he managed only 217 runs in 11 outings after being bought for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore.

The situation could be further complicated by a past altercation between Rana and current Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year, where umpires had to intervene to separate the two players.