Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana Set to Return to Delhi After Two-Year Stint in Uttar Pradesh

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 in action for Rajasthan Royals

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," stated Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana's childhood coach, highlighting the player's emotional connection to Delhi. Bharadwaj confirmed Rana's return, adding, "Yes, he will be playing for Delhi this season... It is a wise decision from him."

Bharadwaj, who has mentored prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, emphasized that Delhi is where Rana honed his skills from a young age and even earned his first India call-up.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season with Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. 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 equally lackluster, with 150 runs in four games.

While his return doesn't guarantee an immediate spot in the Delhi side, Rana will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), featuring eight teams.

A source close to the situation revealed that when Rana requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2023, Delhi had urged him to stay. The source also emphasized that Rana would need to earn his place in the team, stating, "There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana's IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals was also below par, as he managed only 217 runs in 11 outings after being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore.

The circumstances of Rana's return to the Delhi unit remain intriguing, especially considering his on-field altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year, which required intervention from the umpires.