"Wasn't good for my career" - Nitish Rana's shocking remark on Team Delhi's dressing room atmosphere

Nitish Rana was part of Delhi for over 10 years in the Ranji Trophy. However, this year, Nitish Rana parted ways with Delhi and joined the Uttar Pradesh team in the domestic tournament. Nitish Rana leads UP in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. After joining the UP team, the left-handed batter said that he is getting respect in the team.

Nitish Rana is a capped player who has also played for Team India. He is also active in the Indian Premier League. Last season, he led Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023 in the absence of skipper Shreyas Iyer. He has represented KKR for many years.

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I have got a team where I am getting respect: Nitish Rana on joining UP

Reflecting on his journey with the Uttar Pradesh team (UP team) in Ranji Trophy 2024, Nitish Rana said he has got a team where he is getting respect. He also said that UP is an Elite team and he knows some people here. The UP skipper also added that the dressing room atmosphere of Delhi was not good.

“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 told Cricbuzz.

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Shifted my focus from red-ball cricket in the COVID years

Nitish Rana also revealed that during COVID years, he shifted his focus from red-ball cricket and focussed more on T20s. Notably, in IPL 2021, the tournament took place in two phases due to the COVID outbreak in the country. Rana also added he has worked very hard with the red ball.

“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 further added.

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Nitish Rana slammed a ton in Ranji Trophy 2024

Nitish Rana has also done a fabulous job so far in Ranji Trophy 2024. The UP skipper has played 4 innings across 3 matches so far and slammed 186 runs averaging 62.0. He slammed a wonderful century (106) in a recent encounter.

However, UP is yet to register their first victory in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Uttar Pradesh has played 3 games in the tournament but failed to win any of them. All these games ended in a draw. With 5 points, UP take the 5th spot in the Elite Group B points table.