Nitish Rana, the 31-year-old cricketer, is poised to return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, two years after his move to Uttar Pradesh.
Rana's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, emphasized the significance of returning home, stating, "Apna ghar toh apna hi hota hai (Nothing comes close to your home)." He confirmed Rana's return, recalling his previous advice against the move. "Yes, he will be playing for Delhi this season. I had asked him not to move out then also. He didn't had a great season with Uttar Pradesh. As a professional cricketer, you have too much pressure."
Bharadwaj, who has mentored prominent players 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 said.
Rana's performance in the 2024-25 domestic season for Uttar Pradesh was underwhelming. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored only 111 runs in nine games. He played in just two List A matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, managing a mere 17 runs before being dropped. His Ranji Trophy performance was equally disappointing, with 150 runs in four games.
While his return doesn't guarantee an immediate spot in the Delhi side, Rana 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 IPL 2025 season with the Rajasthan Royals was also lackluster, as he scored only 217 runs in 11 outings after being bought for a substantial Rs 4.20 crore.
The dynamics within the Delhi unit will be something to watch, considering Rana's past altercation with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals last year, where umpires had to intervene.
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