Rajasthan Royals (RR), the inaugural IPL champions in 2008, secured batting all-rounder Nitish Rana for INR 4.20 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Rana, who missed most of the previous season due to injury after playing just two matches for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), brings a wealth of experience from domestic cricket and the IPL, where he has been active since 2016.
In 107 IPL matches, Rana has amassed 2636 runs, including 18 half-centuries. While he hasn’t bowled much in the tournament, he has taken 10 wickets. He has the potential to be a crucial player for any team and is likely to secure a spot in Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI, strengthening their squad for the upcoming season.
After missing the previous season, Nitish Rana will be eager to make a strong comeback and play a vital role in the team’s success. Here are three reasons why Rana is an excellent addition to the squad:
#1 Nitish Rana has consistently performed well with the bat in the IPL
Although Nitish Rana missed the 2024 IPL season, he has been a consistent run-scorer in the league over the last three full seasons he played. His best performance came in 2023, where he amassed 413 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 140.95, including three half-centuries.
In 2022, Rana scored 361 runs in 14 games with a strike rate of 143.82, hitting two half-centuries. The left-hander registered 383 runs in 2021 and 352 runs in 2020.
Rana’s consistency, with over 350 runs in each season since 2020, highlights his value as a reliable batter. He has the potential to make a significant impact for the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming seasons.
#2 Rana is an ideal addition to Rajasthan Royals’ batting lineup
Rajasthan Royals already boast a strong batting lineup with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, and Riyan Parag. Nitish Rana, however, could be the perfect addition to strengthen their order further.
A team needs a batter who can handle spin effectively during the middle overs, a crucial aspect of success. The 30-year-old left-hander excels in this role as a middle-order batter and can also provide flexibility, allowing Samson to move up the order and open the innings if needed.
Rana is reliable against pace as well and can adapt his batting position based on the team’s requirements. Additionally, his left-handedness brings a strategic advantage to Rajasthan Royals’ middle order.
#3 He can add stability to the batting lineup and also provide bowling options
Rajasthan Royals already have powerful hitters like Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, and Riyan Parag in their lineup, but someone like Nitish Rana can provide strong stability in the middle order.
Rana has the ability to score at a steady pace while allowing the power hitters to play around him, anchoring the innings when necessary. His proficiency against spin adds further value.
With 4581 runs from 185 T20 matches, Rana has proven his batting consistency. While he hasn’t bowled much in the IPL, his occasional off-spin can be a useful option for the team when required.
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