• Nitish Rana will not feature in the upcoming Delhi Premier League despite being available to play.

  • Earlier this year, Rana returned to Delhi after spending two domestic seasons with Uttar Pradesh.

Here’s why Nitish Rana won’t feature in the Delhi Premier League 2025 despite Delhi return
Nitish Rana (Image Source: X)

Indian cricketer Nitish Rana has been barred from participating in the 2025 edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), despite recently switching back to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. The reason lies in a regulation set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) concerning player transfers between state associations.

Nitish Rana to miss Delhi Premier League 2025 due to a BCCI rule

A BCCI official confirmed to CricBlogger that the 12-month cooling-off rule prevents Rana from participating in the Delhi Premier League this season. Although he has secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Uttar Pradesh and is now officially eligible to represent Delhi in domestic cricket, he will only be allowed to play in the DPL from next year onward. Cooling-off period is a mandatory waiting period for players before participating in local leagues after switching the state teams.

“Unfortunately, the 12-month cooling-off rule does not allow Rana to participate in the DPL this season. He has taken a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from UP and is eligible to represent Delhi officially, but he can only play the DPL next year,” the source stated to CricBlogger.

Also READ: Cricket Australia unveils full schedule for Big Bash League 2025-26

Rana’s ordinary run in IPL with Rajasthan Royals 

Former KKR skipper, Rana hasn’t had the best of times on the cricket field lately. After limited opportunities in IPL 2024, the 31-year-old made a move to Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the new season. Known for his aggressive strokeplay and ability to anchor innings in the middle order, Rana showed flashes of form but couldn’t fully capitalize on his chances.

In the 2024 edition of the IPL, he played 11 matches and scored 217 runs at a modest average of 21.70. While the numbers may not stand out, his two half-centuries and a healthy strike rate of 162 reflected his intent and ability to score quickly when set. Rana made his international debut for India in 2021, featuring in both ODIs and T20Is during the tour of Sri Lanka. However, with no standout performances in that series, he has since fallen out of the national reckoning.

Also READ: 3 teams that can target Sanju Samson during IPL 2026 Player Trade Window

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About the Author:
Varun Verma is a dedicated cricket enthusiast with a flair for storytelling and in-depth analysis. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with a talent for engaging content creation, he brings the drama and thrill of the game to life for fans around the world. Drawing inspiration from the grit and passion of players like Ben Stokes, Varun aspires to one day experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He can be reached at varun.verma@betvisa68.com and followed on and .