Nitish Rana's Return to Delhi Cricket: A Fresh Start After UP Struggles
Nitish Rana's Comeback to Delhi Cricket
Nitish Rana is set to make a significant return to his roots in Delhi for the upcoming domestic cricket season. After a disappointing tenure with Uttar Pradesh, where he struggled to find his form, Rana has decided to rejoin the Delhi Cricket Team. This move comes two years after he left his home club, as confirmed by his childhood coach, Sanjay Bhardwaj.
🚨 NITISH RANA TO DELHI 🚨
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 25, 2025
– Nitish Rana is likely to return to Delhi in Domestic cricket after playing for Uttar Pradesh for 2 years. [Pratyush Raj from TOI] pic.twitter.com/lZSwPyJ8fO
A Challenging Period in Uttar Pradesh
At 31, Rana was once considered one of the most promising batting talents from Delhi. However, his move to Uttar Pradesh in 2023 did not yield the expected results. The previous season was particularly challenging for him, as he struggled to maintain consistency. In nine matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he managed only 111 runs, and in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored a mere 17 runs. His performance in the Ranji Trophy was also underwhelming, with just 150 runs in four matches before being dropped from the team.
Sanjay Bhardwaj praised Rana's decision to return, emphasizing that Delhi is where he honed his skills and received his first call-up to the national team. Bhardwaj, who has coached several notable players, had initially opposed Rana's transfer to Uttar Pradesh but felt his concerns were overlooked.
No Guarantees for Rana's Spot in the Team
Despite his return, Rana faces a competitive environment in Delhi, with no guarantees for a spot in the playing XI. The selectors have made it clear that he will not receive any special treatment and must earn his place back in the team across all formats. He will participate in the newly formed Delhi Premier League (DPL), which consists of eight teams, providing him a platform to showcase his skills and impress the selectors.
Interestingly, Rana's performance in IPL 2025 with the Rajasthan Royals was also lackluster, as he scored only 217 runs in 11 matches, despite being retained for a hefty sum of INR 4.20 crore.