![Nitish Rana [Source: Sri Lanka Cricket]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793969729546_NitishRana.jpg?type=hq)
Nitish Rana [Source: Sri Lanka Cricket]
In a massive new development, Delhi have named their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 squad, with Ayush Badoni being named as captain. The 16-man squad features several household names, including pace stars as well as batting sensations.
The squad though considerably misses out on India cricketer Nitish Rana. Rana, the firepower batter, who has represented Delhi in domestic trophies earlier, has been left out of the format, in which he has played over 200 games, amassing 5,347 runs at an average of 28.44.
Delhi name SMAT 2026 squad excluding Nitish Rana, Ishant Sharma named
The squad was named by the Delhi Cricket Association on November 6, with Ishant Sharma, the 38-year-old pace veteran, being present. Punjab Kings sensation Priyansh Arya, Kolkata Knight Riders cricketer Sarthak Ranjan, Yash Dhull, Anuj Rawat, Himmat Singh, KKR pace sensation Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav have also been added to the strong 16-member squad.
Delhi squad for SMAT 2026: Ayush Badoni (c), Priyansh Arya, Sarthak Ranjan, Yash Dhull, Ayush Doseja, Tejasvi, Anuj Rawat, Himmat Singh, Mayank Rawat, Keshav Dabas, Suyash Sharma, Digvesh, Ishant Sharma, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Simarjeet Singh
Nitish Rana's absence from the squad doesn't come as a surprise. The cricketer failed miserably in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament, averaging only 13 from the four matches he played.
In the Delhi Premier League, he was just at par, posting an average of 31.43 from seven matches. The IPL 2026 season, too, was very underwhelming for Rana, who scored 225 runs at 25.00, with scores of 0, 5, 1, and 50 to his account.
How has Rana performed for Delhi recently?
Notably, the last time he played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Delhi, he was in impressive form, scoring 274 runs and registering two half-centuries in the tournament while striking at 148.91.
Nitish Rana last featured for Delhi on January 13, 2026, during the fourth quarter-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Vidarbha. In that match, Nitish Rana played as an all-rounder and returned with solid figures with the ball.
In his three overs, he conceded only 19 runs while dismissing two batters. However, with the bat, he disappointed after being dismissed for a golden duck by Nachiket Bhute.
