Why is Nitish Rana not playing KKR vs RR IPL 2025 match? Check RR Playing 11

In an important news development, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are not playing their premier batter Nitish Rana in the 53rd clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season scheduled against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) being hosted at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It has been a miserable IPL season for the Rajasthan Royals so far as they have managed to witness as many as eight losses from their eleven matches. Due to this poor performance, the IPL 2008 champions have already been knocked out from the race to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Rajasthan Royals will be aiming to play for pride during their remaining matches this season. 

Why is Nitish Rana not playing today's KKR vs RR IPL 2025 match?

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag revealed that senior batter Nitish Rana is not part of the RR playing 11 against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Parag further revealed that the experienced batter was struggling with a niggle and thus, he was not available for selection in this Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2025 match. Interestingly, after being bought by the Rajasthan Royals for an amount worth INR 4.2 Crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Nitish Rana has notched up a total of 217 runs from 11 matches during the ongoing T20 competition at an exceptional strike-rate of more than 161 that includes a couple of half-centuries as well. 

The Rajasthan Royals have made as many as three changes to the RR playing XI from their last match against the Mumbai Indians. The trio of Kunal Singh Rathore, Wanindu Hasaranga and Yudhvir Singh Charak have replaced the likes of Nitish Rana, Kumar Kartikeya and Fazalhaq Farooqi. 

"I was happy that I lost the toss, wasn't sure. It's very challenging, you got to be profession on the field. A lot of work goes into it. Need to play for our pride. Need to bring more energy into the field. We are hoping to put a collective effort. Three changes in our team. Nitish Rana has a niggle, he goes out. Hasaranga comes back for Kumar Kartikeya. Kunal Rathore and Yudhvir are in," stated Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag during the toss. 

RR Playing 11

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag(c), Kunal Singh Rathore, Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal. 

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Kumar Kartikeya, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma

RR IPL 2025 Squad

Sanju Samson (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Charak, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma.