Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

After a two-year spell with Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is expected to return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season.

Nitish Rana showcasing his skills while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Rana, a former Delhi captain, had made the move to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, emphasized Rana's connection to his roots, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." Bharadwaj confirmed to TimesofIndia.com, "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 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 said.

Nitish Rana praises Starc's exceptional death bowling skills.

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

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

A source familiar with 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 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 disappointing. Despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore, he managed only 217 runs in 11 innings.

His reintegration into the Delhi unit will be closely watched, especially considering his past altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year, which required the intervention of umpires.