Nitish Rana left Delhi after a decade, citing an unfavorable dressing room atmosphere, and is currently leading Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024.
Indian cricketer Nitish Rana concluded his decade-long association with Delhi last year, now leading Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024. Expressing dissatisfaction with the Delhi dressing room atmosphere, Rana emphasized the need for a change in his career. Joining Uttar Pradesh, he highlighted the enhanced respect he now receives.
In a recent Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, Rana showcased his prowess, delivering a brilliant innings of 106 runs off 120 balls.
“It was in my mind that the dressing room atmosphere of the Delhi team was not good for my career. I felt that a change was necessary for my career. I have always looked at UP as an Elite team, and I know people here. Luckily, I have got a team where I am getting respect,” Rana was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Admitting that red-ball cricket took a backseat amidst his focus on shorter formats during the Covid-affected IPL seasons, Rana emphasized a shift in priorities for the upcoming domestic season.
“I like to perform well when the team is in trouble. During the Covid years, when the IPL was held in two phases, I had shifted my focus away from red-ball cricket a little bit. So, that set me back somewhat. This year I have worked very hard with the red ball because I wanted to prove, not to anyone else, but to myself that I can be a good red-ball player,” Rana said.
“It was my mistake that I wasn’t focusing on red-ball cricket. A lot of people had started talking that I wasn’t a red-ball player, and I would not have had to listen to that talk. Since I switched from Delhi (this year), my target has been to make my name in red-ball cricket again,” he concluded.
Last Updated on January 28, 2024
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