Saucecode: Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Return After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Spell

After a two-year stint with Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is poised to make a comeback to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season.

Nitish Rana in action for Rajasthan Royals during an IPL match.

Rana, a former Delhi captain, had initially made the move to UP in 2023. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, revealed to TimesofIndia.com, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." Bharadwaj further stated, "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 return 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 added. Bharadwaj has also played a role in shaping the careers of other prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra.

Rana's performance for Uttar Pradesh in the 2024-25 domestic season was subpar. He only managed 111 runs in nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he played just two List A matches, scoring a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His struggles continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored 150 runs in four games, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the team.

While his return to Delhi doesn't automatically secure him a spot in the side, he is expected 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 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 stated. "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. Despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore, he only managed 217 runs in 11 outings.

It remains to be seen how Rana will be received within the Delhi unit, especially considering his past 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 after a heated face-to-face confrontation.