Nitish Rana's Wife Raises Loyalty Concerns Following KKR's Decision At IPL 2025 Auction

Nitish Rana's transfer to Rajasthan Royals (RR) during the IPL 2025 mega auction has been a major talking point. Previously with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2018, Rana was bought by RR for INR 4.20 crore at the event held in Jeddah on November 25.

Despite his impressive record of 2,199 runs at a strike rate of 136.32 over 88 matches for KKR, the team chose not to retain him. The decision not to use their Right to Match (RTM) card left many fans and analysts puzzled about KKR's strategy.

Adding fuel to the fire, Rana's wife, Saachi Marwah, expressed her discontent through social media. She posted a cryptic message on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Loyalty is very expensive; not everyone can afford it." This post quickly gained traction and sparked discussions about KKR's treatment of Rana.

While the post went viral, Rana maintained his composure amidst the controversy. After joining RR, he shared a selfie on Instagram wearing a pink T-shirt with the caption "Royal-ty is Pink!" indicating his enthusiasm for this new journey. However, both he and his wife have unfollowed KKR on Instagram, hinting at possible tensions.

The IPL 2025 auction saw KKR focusing on other players instead of retaining Rana. They notably repurchased Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crore, making him the third-most expensive player in the auction. This decision has led to further speculation regarding KKR's team-building approach.

During his time with KKR, Rana had even captained the team in several matches. Now with RR, he faces a significant pay cut from his previous INR 8 crore contract with KKR to INR 4.20 crore.

Future Prospects with Rajasthan Royals

Despite earning less now, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer remains hopeful about his prospects with RR. The team also made headlines by acquiring Jofra Archer for INR 12.50 crore. As IPL 2025 nears, all eyes will be on Nitish Rana and how he performs with Rajasthan Royals after ending his seven-year stint with KKR.