Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing 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 in action for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Rana's return marks a homecoming for the former Delhi captain, who initially made the switch to UP in 2023. According to his childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana felt the pull of his home ground. "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," Bharadwaj told TimesofIndia.com. 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 believes this is a strategic move for Rana, emphasizing the significance of playing where he developed his skills. "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," he stated. Bharadwaj has also mentored prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand, and Priyansh Arya.

Nitish Rana praises Starc's bowling prowess.

Underwhelming Performance in Uttar Pradesh

The 2024-25 domestic season proved challenging for Rana while representing Uttar Pradesh. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was lackluster, scoring only 111 runs in nine matches. He participated in just two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, managing a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he was eventually removed from the team after a series of low scores, accumulating only 150 runs in four games.

The Road Ahead: Delhi Premier League and Earning a Spot

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a place in the side, Rana is set 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 emphasized that Rana will need to prove his worth to secure a spot 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."

IPL Performance and Potential Tensions

Rana's performance in the IPL 2025 with the Rajasthan Royals was also underwhelming, despite being bought for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction. He managed only 217 runs in 11 outings for the Royals.

The circumstances of Rana's return to Delhi will be closely watched, particularly given his past altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The situation escalated to the point where umpires had to intervene and separate the two players.