Nitish Rana Eyes Delhi Comeback After Disappointing Uttar Pradesh Stint OR Homecoming: Nitish Rana Set to Revive Career with Delhi Return After UP Struggles OR Delhi Calling: Nitish Rana Seeks Redemption After Unsuccessful UP Chapter

Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is on the verge of returning to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, two years after his move to Uttar Pradesh.

Nitish Rana pictured playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

"Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)," Nitish Rana's childhood coach Sanjay Bharadwaj told TimesofIndia.com, highlighting the emotional pull of returning to his roots.

Bharadwaj confirmed, "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."

He further emphasized the wisdom of Rana's decision: "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." Bharadwaj has also played a crucial role in shaping the careers of other prominent cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra.

The 2024-25 domestic season saw Rana struggle to find his form while playing for Uttar Pradesh. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored just 111 runs in nine matches. His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was equally underwhelming, with only 17 runs in two List A matches. Consequently, he was dropped 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 secure him a spot in the team, he will participate in the second season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which will feature eight teams.

A source close to 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 added, "He will have to earn his spot. There is no guarantee that he will get a chance right away."

Rana's performance in IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals was also below expectations. Despite being bought for a significant Rs 4.20 crore, he only managed to score 217 runs in 11 matches.

The circumstances surrounding Rana's return to the Delhi team will be closely watched, 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 during the heated exchange.