Nitish Rana Cleared to Participate in Delhi Premier League 2025 Auction
Exciting Developments Ahead of DPL 2025 Auction
A significant update has emerged just before the commencement of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 mega auction. Nitish Rana, the former captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has received approval to participate in the tournament. Initially, he was sidelined due to the BCCI's one-year cooling-off period imposed on players switching states. However, Rana's name has now been added to the auction pool, much to the excitement of the East Delhi Riders' co-owner, who confirmed this development.
Return to Delhi After Time in Uttar Pradesh
Rana returned to Delhi a few months ago after spending two seasons with Uttar Pradesh. He had moved to UP in 2023 seeking new opportunities, particularly in red-ball cricket as a captain. Despite his leadership role, his performance was underwhelming, failing to make significant contributions in both red and white-ball formats. Hoping for a fresh start, he decided to come back to his home state.
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) issued him a No Objection Certificate (NOC), allowing him to compete for Delhi in national tournaments. However, his participation in local leagues like the DPL remained uncertain due to the BCCI's cooling-off regulations. Fortunately, this issue appears to have been resolved just in time for the auction.
The East Delhi Riders were keen on acquiring him and acted quickly upon learning of his eligibility. A co-owner of the team confirmed that Rana is once again in the running for selection in the auction, bringing valuable experience and the potential for strong batting and leadership.
Ashok Sharma, the secretary of the DDCA, mentioned that while Rana claims to have the NOC, they have yet to receive a formal copy. "We have spoken with Nitish, and he has informed us about the NOC. However, we cannot fully certify his eligibility until we receive it in writing," Sharma stated.
Another concern is the scheduling conflict between the UP T20 League and the DPL, as both tournaments overlap. Rana's recent participation in the UP league raised questions about his availability for this season's DPL.
In terms of current performance, Rana has faced challenges. During IPL 2025, he played for the Rajasthan Royals but only managed to score 217 runs in 11 matches, averaging just 21.7. His time with UP was similarly disappointing, accumulating 447 runs in 10 First-Class matches at an average of 31.92, and only 72 runs in 7 List-A matches. Despite being appointed captain in both formats for UP, his performance did not improve.
While Rana may not feature in the DPL 2025 season, he is anticipated to be part of Delhi's domestic setup in the future. Fans and teams are eager to see him regain his form, potentially gearing up for a fresh start in DPL 2026.