"He is very soft-spoken" - Nitish Rana reveals Mitchell Starc’s real personality

Nitish Rana shares his dressing room experience with Mitchell Starc: The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin from 28th March, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The IPL committee has just released the dates for the first 20 games of the competition. As the days close by, the teams are gearing up for the toughest T20 league in the world.

Delhi Capitals (DC) have already set up their camps for the preparation of the IPL. Nitish Rana, the Delhi-born cricketer have finally returned home after spending most of his IPL career outside his own birthplace. Nitish Rana was traded from the Rajasthan Royals to the DC for INR 4.20 crore ahead of the player auction.

My dream to play for the IPL for Delhi- Nitish Rana

Nitish was sensational in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) last season. He smashed runs for fun and thus was picked by his home franchise. After joining the Captials, Rana shared his delight while speaking to Hindustan Times.

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"I am very excited because it has always been my dream to play for the IPL for Delhi. Because I have played for Delhi since childhood. And this opportunity came late, but hopefully it will come in a good way. And I will be able to do well and help DC win the title," Rana told the Hindustan Times.

"Obviously, in the last two years, I had played for UP for domestic cricket. Now, I have returned home for both sides, domestic and even IPL. So, I am very excited. Plus, I have a family here. So, that is also a very good moment for me."

"Because staying with family, playing for Delhi, all that. When I started playing cricket, I thought about it. Now, it is coming true. So, I am very excited for it."

But he is a very kind-hearted guy- Nitish Rana on Mitchell Starc

Nitish Rana also shared his experience of playing alongside Australia pacer Mitchell Starc. The two cricketers were part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp for the 2024 IPL-winning season, and the two will now reunite in the Delhi Capitals dressing room. So they will try to bring in the KKR luck in Delhi and earn their maiden trophy.

Nitish Rana on playing with Mitchell Starc, "Those who don't know Mitchell Starc, they think he is very aggressive. And that’s the only way he bowls. But he is a very kind-hearted guy. Because I have shared the dressing room with him. And he is very soft-spoken. And he is a very good guy. So, I am very excited to play with him."

Mitchell Starc was excellent in the knockout stages for the KKR in the 2024 IPL as he won the player of the match in Qualifier 1 and the final for his excellent bowling display, and helped KKR win their third title. The veteran pacer joined DC in 2025 and also bowled brilliantly, picking up taking 14 wickets with an economy of 10.17.

Nitish Rana to continue his DPL form in IPL

In the 2025 edition of the DPL, Nitish Rana finished off the season as the fourth-highest run getter of the tournament. He scored with 393 runs in 11 matches, and he helped his team, West Delhi Lions, win the competition. Rana has expressed that he would like to continue his form in the IPL as well.

He further added, "I don't have any other option. As a professional cricketer, I play cricket only for these reasons. And that should be my bread and butter. And I am working hard for that. And my job is to focus on the process. And if the process is right, the result will definitely come in my favour."

Also Read: 'Abhishek Sharma is a rascal' - Ex-KKR star drops shocking remark before IPL 2026