Former KKR captain Nitish Rana set to rejoin Delhi after Uttar Pradesh Stint: Report

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Nitish Rana is poised to make a return to Delhi for the upcoming domestic season, marking a significant shift just two years after he switched allegiance to Uttar Pradesh.

The move is all but confirmed, with sources from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) stating that Rana is in the final stages of completing the transfer formalities.

A report from CricBlogger denotes the former India batter is almost certain to return to Delhi, which will be a significant move ahead of the next domestic season.

The 30-year-old, who led the UP side and brought experience from both international cricket and the IPL, is believed to have initiated the move after being advised by none other than India's head coach Gautam Gambhir.

As per CricBlogger's report, Gambhir played an influential role in nudging Rana towards a return to his original home team - a development that has triggered discussion, given Gambhir's current responsibilities at the national level and the sensitivity surrounding his influence on domestic team matters, especially involving Delhi.

Rana's decision aligns with his long-standing connection to Delhi cricket, which he left in search of leadership opportunities and a fresh start. With the Delhi Premier League just around the corner and the UPCA league also nearing its start, the timing of the transfer will be watched closely.

"It will be interesting to see when exactly the transfer takes place," a UPCA source told CricBlogger. "It's more or less certain that Rana is leaving UP."

Rana has been a mainstay for Delhi over the years and has been a regular in the IPL as well. The southpaw played for KKR distinctively and won the IPL 2024 title with them. Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, he moved to Rajasthan Royals. The 31-year-old has represented India in 1 ODI and 2 T20Is, with his last appearance coming in 2021.