Nitish Rana is on the verge of rejoining his home state Delhi ahead of the upcoming domestic season, following two underwhelming years with Uttar Pradesh (UP). The southpaw batter has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), clearing the path for his return.
UPCA’s CEO, Ankit Chatterjee, confirmed the development:
“The experienced batter asked for an NOC and we have given it to him. He mentioned family reasons for his decision.”
Ashok Sharma, secretary of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), also acknowledged Rana’s intent to return. However, he clarified that DDCA is yet to receive formal documentation.
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“Rana has spoken to us and informed us about the NOC from UP. But until we receive the copy officially, we can’t confirm anything about his return to the Delhi squad.”
Rana began his domestic cricket journey with Delhi, rising through the ranks from age-group levels. In 2023, he made a surprising switch to Uttar Pradesh and was even appointed captain. However, his time there did not live up to expectations.
During the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, Rana featured in just four matches, scoring 150 runs in six innings — with only one fifty to his name. His T20 campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was similarly disappointing, as he managed only 111 runs from nine games at an average of 13.87 and a strike rate of 114.43. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A), he played just two matches before being dropped due to continued poor form.
Now seeking a fresh start, Rana will hope a return to familiar surroundings in Delhi can help revive his domestic career.
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