Nitish Rana Set to Rejoin Delhi Ahead of Domestic Season After Underwhelming UP Stint

Nitish Rana is on course to return to his home state Delhi after a lackluster two-season spell with Uttar Pradesh, marking a potential homecoming that could reshape his domestic career. Having secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), the 30-year-old batter is expected to rejoin Delhi ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season.

Confirming the development, UPCA’s CEO Ankit Chatterjee stated that the association had granted Rana’s request based on “family reasons” cited in his application. Meanwhile, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma noted that Rana has informed the board of his intentions but added that the association has yet to receive the official NOC. “Only after receiving the NOC, we can say anything about the chances of him playing for Delhi,” Sharma told ESPNcricinfo.

Rana, who emerged from Delhi’s domestic system and featured prominently in its senior setup until 2022, made a high-profile switch to Uttar Pradesh in 2023 and was entrusted with leadership responsibilities across formats. However, his stint failed to deliver expected returns. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he managed just 150 runs in six innings across four matches, with a solitary half-century. His Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign was similarly disappointing, producing only 111 runs in nine T20 games at a strike rate of 114.43.

His form continued to decline across formats, leading to omissions from both the one-day and first-class squads. Rana played only two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches before being dropped. He was also left out of UP’s squad when the Ranji Trophy resumed in January. The signs of an impending exit became more evident when his name was missing from the UP T20 League auction list this year.

In total, Rana featured in 10 first-class matches for UP, scoring 447 runs, including one century. His contributions in seven List A games amounted to just 72 runs, while in 16 T20 appearances he collected 314 runs with two fifties. Despite captaining the side in six Ranji Trophy games and four Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures, the results were mixed, with UP securing only one and three wins respectively.

Rana’s return to Delhi may be closely watched, especially considering past friction with current Delhi captain Ayush Badoni. The two were involved in an on-field altercation during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match last season, which required umpire intervention. That history, combined with fierce competition for middle-order spots in the Delhi squad, sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Rana’s domestic career.

Should the DDCA officially confirm his reintegration, Rana could also feature in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), scheduled for August — a move that might provide him a platform to revive form and reassert his value in India’s domestic cricket circuit.