Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint OR Homecoming: Nitish Rana Poised for Delhi Return After Uneventful Uttar Pradesh Chapter OR Nitish Rana Seeks Delhi Redemption Following Uphill Battle in Uttar Pradesh

Nitish Rana Set for Delhi Return After Uttar Pradesh Stint

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

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

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," remarked Sanjay Bharadwaj, Rana's childhood coach, highlighting the significance of his return. 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 believes this is a strategic move for Rana, emphasizing that Delhi is where he developed his cricketing foundation, from age-group cricket to earning his first India call-up. He added that he has shaped the careers of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand and Priyansh Arya.

Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was notably subpar. He only scored 111 runs in nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he participated in just two List A matches, accumulating a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he was ousted from the team following a series of low scores, managing only 150 runs in four games.

Nitish Rana praises Starc's exceptional death bowling skills.

Despite his return, a guaranteed spot in the Delhi side is not assured. However, 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 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 added, "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. Acquired for a significant Rs 4.20 crore in the auction, he only managed 217 runs in 11 appearances for the Royals.

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