Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint

Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is reportedly returning to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season after spending two years playing for Uttar Pradesh.

Rana's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, confirmed the move, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." He 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 also mentored prominent cricketers 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. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he played only two List A matches, scoring just 17 runs before being dropped. He was also removed from the Ranji Trophy team after a series of low scores, managing only 150 runs in four games.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically guarantee him a spot in the team, 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 emphasized that Rana will have 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 par. The Royals had acquired him for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore in the auction, but he only managed 217 runs in 11 outings.

Adding to the intrigue, Rana was involved in a heated argument with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year. The umpires had to intervene to separate the two players. It remains to be seen how Rana's return will be received by the Delhi team, considering this past incident.