Nitish Rana Eager to Shine with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023

Indian cricketer Nitish Rana is thrilled to join the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2023, sharing his childhood dreams and experiences with legends like Virat Kohli. He reflects on his successful domestic season and expresses eagerness to support his captain, Axar Patel, while remaining flexible in his batting position. Rana's journey showcases his dedication to the team and his commitment to continuous learning from the game. Discover more about his aspirations and insights as he prepares for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 22:13 IST

Excitement for Delhi Capitals

Indian cricketer Nitish Rana has expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He reflected on his experience of sharing the dressing room with the legendary Virat Kohli during the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) while representing Delhi last year. Rana, who has previously won IPL titles with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), shared his thoughts during a pre-season media interaction.

A Dream Come True

Nitish, who debuted in IPL 2016, reminisced about his childhood visits to the Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch DC play. He always dreamed of donning the franchise's colors. Over his career, he has played for KKR, MI, and Rajasthan Royals (RR), accumulating 2,853 runs with an average of 27.97 and a strike rate of 136.76, including 20 fifties. "As a local, it gives me an edge. It took time, but I believe the moment has arrived, and I am thrilled to represent Delhi this season," he stated.

Supporting Axar and the Team

Rana is keen to assist his captain, Axar Patel, and the team, leveraging his familiarity with the Arun Jaitley Stadium's conditions. He noted, "Having played at a ground since childhood provides insights that can significantly aid a captain. If I were in charge, I would appreciate guidance from someone who knows the venue well. I aim to support Axar and the Delhi Capitals in every possible way."

Flexibility in Batting Order

While Nitish has found success batting at numbers three and four, he hopes to maintain that position with DC. However, he remains open to any batting order adjustments. "There hasn't been much discussion yet since the main camp hasn't started. Ideally, I would like to bat in those positions, but I am prepared to adapt for the team's needs. My training has always prioritized the team's success over personal goals," he explained.

Reflecting on a Strong Domestic Season

In 2025, Nitish had an impressive run, winning the Delhi Premier League (DPL) title with West Delhi Lions, scoring 393 runs in 11 innings at an average of 65.60, including a century and a fifty. He also played for RR, contributing 217 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 161.94. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Delhi's quarterfinal journey in the VHT, amassing 255 runs in eight matches at an average of 42.50.

Learning from Virat Kohli

During the VHT, Nitish had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Virat Kohli, who was honing his skills for upcoming ODIs against New Zealand. Reflecting on this experience, he said, "Although it wasn't our first meeting, it was the first time we shared a dressing room. Observing such a legendary player is invaluable. I strive to learn from every match and practice session, and I hope to apply these lessons to improve both my game and my character."