Indian batter Nitish Rana and his wife, Saachi Marwah, made headlines with their pointed remarks after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opted not to retain or bid for the cricketer in the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. Rana, a key player for KKR for six seasons, was eventually snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for ₹4.20 crore.
Rana’s Journey with KKR Comes to an Unexpected End
Rana joined KKR in 2018 and became an integral part of their batting lineup. He consistently scored over 200 runs each season, except in 2024 when injuries limited him to just two matches. His standout performances in 2020 and 2021 even earned him a spot in India’s white-ball squads, where he debuted in both ODIs and T20Is during the 2021 Sri Lanka tour.
Rana’s contributions extended beyond batting; he was named KKR captain in 2023, stepping in for Shreyas Iyer, who missed the season due to a back injury. Despite his strong association with the franchise, KKR neither retained him nor used the Right-To-Match (RTM) card, leaving him to explore opportunities with other teams.
A Cryptic Message from Saachi Marwah
Following the auction, Saachi Marwah took to social media with a cryptic yet scathing post: “Loyalty is very expensive, not everyone can afford it.” The post quickly gained traction among fans, sparking speculation about their disappointment with KKR’s decision. Rana added to the buzz by sharing an Instagram story featuring himself in a pink shirt, captioned: “Royal-ty is pink!” — a playful nod to his new team, Rajasthan Royals.
A New Chapter with Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals secured Rana for ₹4.20 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Starting at a base price of ₹1.50 crore, the bidding quickly escalated before the Royals emerged victorious.
This move marks Rana’s third IPL franchise, having begun his career with Mumbai Indians in 2015. Joining Rajasthan Royals offers him a fresh start and an opportunity to prove his mettle under a new setup.
The Royals’ Gain, KKR’s Loss?
Nitish Rana’s departure signals a significant change for KKR, who benefited from his consistency and leadership over the years. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are counting on Rana’s experience and skills to bolster their middle order in the upcoming season.
The saga highlights the emotional dynamics of IPL auctions, where loyalty and performance sometimes take a backseat to strategic decisions. As Rana prepares to don the pink jersey, all eyes will be on how he fares in this new chapter of his IPL journey.
