Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint Or Alternative: Homecoming? Nitish Rana Poised for Delhi Comeback After U.P. Struggles

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

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

Nitish Rana pictured playing for the 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 for Rana's return. Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Bharadwaj confirmed, "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 mentored prominent players like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, believes this is a strategic move for Rana. "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 added.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was lackluster. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored only 111 runs in nine matches. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was limited to two List A matches, where he managed a mere 17 runs before being dropped. Following a series of low scores, he was also removed from the Ranji Trophy team, having accumulated only 150 runs in four games.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the team, the left-handed batsman is slated 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 earn his place in the Delhi side. "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 performance in the IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also underwhelming. Despite being acquired for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction, he only managed to score 217 runs in 11 innings.

The circumstances of Rana's return to the Delhi unit remain intriguing, particularly considering a prior altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The heated exchange between the two players required intervention from the umpires to prevent further escalation.