The IPL rumor mill is in overdrive after Nitish Ranacurrently contracted with Rajasthan Royals (RR)was spotted donning a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team cap ahead of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025. The sighting has sent social media and cricket forums into a tizzy, with fans and analysts dissecting every detail and speculating that a high-profile trade could soon see Rana return to his former franchise for the IPL 2026 season.

Nitish Rana’s eventful recent years

Rana, who built his IPL legacy in KKR’s midfield for seven seasons—including a stint as captain in 2023—was released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 season. Rajasthan Royals acquired him for ₹4.25 crore amid significant expectations. However, his time at RR proved underwhelming. Split across various batting positions, and hampered by injury, Rana managed 217 runs from 11 matches at a strike rate of 161.94 in IPL 2025, missing the campaign’s final three games.

His enduring popularity with the KKR fan base, combined with the recent viral cap photo, has made his future a hot topic as the IPL 2026 trading window approaches.

Rana ‘bleed purple’ in training session

Rana’s cap choice during a DPL training session with West Delhi Lions instantly fuelled speculation. For many, it signalled an enduring loyalty to the ‘Purple and Gold’ of KKR, even after a transfer to RR. The 31-year-old shared training clips on social media, and fans were quick to interpret his cap as a hint at a possible reunion with KKR. Neither the player nor either franchise has made an official statement addressing any trade plans as of now.

Fan comments and social chatter are rife with phrases like “Once a Knight, always a Knight,” with many highlighting Rana’s seven-season tenure and major contributions to KKR’s successes since 2018. The sighting has resurrected debates around player loyalty and the complex business of IPL trades.

Will a KKR-Rana reunion happen?

Though the speculation is intense, several analysts caution that IPL’s trade regulations and timelines make such comeback stories tricky. Rana was prevented from immediately switching back to KKR earlier due to BCCI regulations after his release. However, with the IPL 2026 trade window opening, a deal is no longer out of the question. If RR decides to release or trade Rana, franchises including KKR and possibly Gujarat Titans (GT) may pursue him at the auction.