Indian Premier League is known for the exposure and promotion it provides to the budding talent from across the cricketing world. Players who go on to leave a mark with their performances in IPL are picked in the National Team to represent the country. Thus, apart from providing entertainment; IPL has also helped players from the domestic circles to emerge and be detected by the search radar signals of the selectors.
One such talent whose name has been making the rounds is the Mumbai Indian player – Nitish Rana. Born in Delhi, he was picked by his native in 2012-13 as a limited-overs player. It was only in 2015-16 that he made his First Class Ranji Debut. Playing against Vidarbha the lad once ran out Wasim Jaffer on the very 1st ball of the match.
The attacking left-handed batsman scored 61 in the first innings. Having scored 557 runs in 7 games, holding an average of over 50 it was a dream debut for Rana as he emerged as the highest run-getter for Delhi.
That’s not all my friends! The Delhi boy smashed 229 runs in the Inter-state tournament and stood first in the ‘Most Sixes’ Tally.
Nitish Rana was bought for 10 lakh rupees by Mumbai Indians before the commencement of the 8th edition of IPL which the team went on to win but he never got a game back then. In the season that followed, Rana played 4 matches scoring 106 runs with his highest coming against Gujarat Lions – a power packed 70 off 36 odd balls!
From regularly warming the bench the previous year, he has now become a sensation and is proving to be one of the most valuable players for the team in IPL 10. He has in his bag, four 30+ innings out of which one is a 50 off 29 against Kolkata Knight Riders and other being 53 off 36 opposite Gujarat Lions. In 3 out of the 5 games played by Mumbai Indians till now, he has been the man on the ‘Rescue Mission’ and has played some brilliant match winning knocks.
Rana attacks from the very beginning which builds up his confidence and gives him the power to construct towers on the foundation that is laid by the top batsmen.
Currently, with 193 runs in 5 matches (Strike Rate – 133, Average – 38.6) Nitish Rana is the owner of the Orange Cup (leading run scorer). Here’s wishing the Delhi boy playing for Mumbai all the very best. Many more successful innings to come! Cheers to the wonder from Domestic Cricket.
– by Akshata Tilwankar
