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 planning a return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, two years after moving to Uttar Pradesh.

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, who has mentored players like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, believes this is a positive step 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.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. He scored only 111 runs in nine games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and a mere 17 runs in two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His poor form led to his exclusion from the Ranji Trophy team after scoring just 150 runs in four games.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the team, the left-handed batsman will 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 would need to earn his place 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 said. "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 below expectations, managing only 217 runs in 11 games after being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore.

The return of Nitish Rana to the Delhi team could create some tension, considering his 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.