Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint OR Homecoming? Nitish Rana Poised for Delhi Comeback After Two Years in Uttar Pradesh OR Nitish Rana Seeks Delhi Redemption Following Subpar Showing 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 he made the switch to Uttar Pradesh.

Nitish Rana pictured during his time with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Rana's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, confirmed the news to TimesofIndia.com, 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 mentored prominent cricketers 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 stated.

Underwhelming Performance in Uttar Pradesh

Rana's stint with Uttar Pradesh in the 2024-25 domestic season was largely forgettable. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy saw him score only 111 runs in nine games. He only played two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, managing a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he was removed from the team after a series of low scores, accumulating just 150 runs in four games.

The Road Ahead: Delhi Premier League and Earning a Spot

While his return to Delhi is imminent, a guaranteed spot in the team is not. The left-handed batsman is expected to participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams.

A source close to the situation emphasized the need for Rana to prove his worth. "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."

IPL 2025 and Past Conflicts

Rana's performance in the IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also below expectations, scoring only 217 runs in 11 outings, despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore.

Adding to the intrigue is Rana's past heated exchange with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year. The umpires had to intervene to separate the two players, raising questions about team dynamics upon Rana's return.