Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana Set to Return to Delhi After Two Years in Uttar Pradesh

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

Nitish Rana showcasing his skills 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 aspect of his return. He confirmed that Rana will indeed be playing for Delhi this season. Bharadwaj had previously advised Rana against leaving, noting his less-than-stellar season with Uttar Pradesh and the inherent pressures of professional cricket.

"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 added, emphasizing Rana's history and connection with Delhi cricket.

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

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically secure him a spot in the team, Rana will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams this time.

A source close to the situation stated, "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 IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals was also underwhelming. Despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore, he managed only 217 runs in 11 innings.

The circumstances of Rana's return to the Delhi unit remain to be seen, especially considering his past 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 during the heated exchange.