Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Spell

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 pictured during an IPL match.

Rana's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, confirmed the news, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." 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 "wise decision" for Rana, emphasizing that Delhi is where he developed his cricketing career, even earning his first India call-up while representing the city.

Performance Dip in Uttar Pradesh

Rana's stint with Uttar Pradesh in the 2024-25 domestic season was marked by inconsistent performances. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored only 111 runs in nine matches. His form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was equally underwhelming, managing just 17 runs in two List A matches before being dropped. He was subsequently removed from the Ranji Trophy team after a series of low scores, accumulating only 150 runs in four games.

Battle for a Spot in the Delhi Side

Despite his return, Rana isn't guaranteed a place in the Delhi squad. He will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams this year.

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 further emphasized that Rana "will have to earn his spot" and there's "no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Underwhelming IPL Season

Rana's performance in the IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also below expectations. Despite being bought for a substantial sum of Rs 4.20 crore, he managed only 217 runs in 11 innings.

Potential Tensions Within the Delhi Team

Rana's return could potentially create some friction within the Delhi team, considering his past 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.

It remains to be seen how Nitish Rana will be integrated back into the Delhi setup and whether he can regain his form and contribute effectively to the team's success.