Nitish Rana

His prospects looked uncertain going into 2017. In the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy he managed 404 runs from 8 matches, averaging just over 33, and he was left out of the Vijay Hazare side after three low scores. The tenth edition of the IPL changed his fortunes. Rana produced several match-winning innings early in the tournament, helping Mumbai make a strong start to a season they went on to win, and he finished with 333 runs from 13 games. His output dropped later in the campaign and he lost his place in the side, yet the season put his career back on course.

He carried that momentum into the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy, scoring 613 runs in 8 matches at an average of 55.72. After Mumbai released him, Kolkata Knight Riders signed him ahead of the 2018 auction, and he became a key part of their batting, frequently used near the top of the order and noted for innings that decided matches. One criticism has been that he often fails to turn promising starts into large totals and tends to fade late in a season, something seen with Mumbai in 2017 and again with Kolkata in 2018.

Steady performances in limited-overs cricket eventually earned him an India call-up. With the senior side engaged in England, a separate white-ball squad toured Sri Lanka, and Rana, one of several newcomers, made his debut in both ODIs and T20 internationals on that trip.

IPL 2022 began poorly for him, with cheap dismissals in each of the first four games. Across 14 innings that season he made two half-centuries, his best being 57 against Delhi Capitals in a match Kolkata lost. He stayed an important member of the Knight Riders until they released him before the 2025 season, when Rajasthan Royals acquired him at the mega auction.