From Locking Himself in His Room Crying to Earning ₹34 Crore: Nitish Rana’s Unbelievable Cricket Journey
- byPranay Jain
- 07 Apr, 2025
Behind the glamor of IPL stardom, there’s often a story of struggle—and Nitish Rana’s journey is a perfect example. Today, he plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 and has earned over ₹34 crore in his IPL career. But few know that this cricketer once used to cry locked in his room over childhood cricket fights at home.
A Cricket-Loving Household Turned Warzone
In a candid chat with FanCode, Nitish revealed that growing up in a cricket-crazy family often turned the house into a mini battleground on match days. The fights? Not about homework or chores—but about who was the better Indian batter.
- Father's favorite: Sachin Tendulkar
- Brother's idol: Rahul Dravid
- Nitish’s hero: Sourav Ganguly
Nitish recalled, "It was rare that the three of us agreed on anything during an India match. If Ganguly got out cheaply, I would lock myself in the room and cry. I couldn’t take it."
Childhood Fights That Turned Into Motivation
According to Nitish, he never dared argue with his father, but clashes with his brother were routine—especially when Dravid outscored Ganguly. “I couldn’t stand seeing Dravid score more runs than Dada,” he said, laughing. The irony? Years later, he went on his first professional tour under Rahul Dravid—a full circle moment he now cherishes.
The Rise of Nitish Rana: ₹34 Crore and Counting
Nitish Rana’s cricket dreams—once the cause of emotional childhood fights—are now his career and identity. In IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for ₹4.20 crore. Though this is ₹3.80 crore less than what he earned in the previous season, his total IPL earnings have now crossed ₹34 crore.
From Fanboy to Franchise Star
What began as an emotional connection with his cricket idols has turned into a successful IPL career. Whether it’s middle-order firepower, calm captaincy, or a deep love for the game—Nitish Rana’s journey is a lesson in passion, patience, and persistence.





