It’s official—Nitish Rana ruled out of IPL 2025. The left-handed batter, who had been a key part of RR’s middle order, will miss the rest of the season due to a calf injury. The Rajasthan Royals confirmed the news earlier this week, and while it’s a major setback, the team is moving quickly to fill the gap. With just two games left in the season, it’s all about finishing with pride, and a new face will get a shot at the big stage.

Nitish Rana’s Performance in IPL 2025

Nitish Rana ruled out of IPL came as a real shame because he had some standout moments. He smashed a stunning 81 off 36 balls against CSK, and later added a solid 51 against DC. Overall, he tallied 217 runs in 11 matches, with a strike rate of 161.94. He wasn’t always consistent, but he had flashes of match-winning brilliance. His exit means the team now has to depend on someone new, and the replacement for Nitish Rana has big shoes to fill.

Replacement for Nitish Rana：Enter Lhuan-Dre Pretorius

With Nitish Rana ruled out of IPL, the Royals have called up a fresh face—Lhuan-Dre Pretorius in IPL 2025. The 20-year-old South African left-hander may not be a household name just yet, but he made plenty of noise in SA20. He was the top run-scorer of the tournament, smashing 397 runs at a strike rate of 166.81, including a breathtaking 97 on debut.

🚨 News 🚨

Rajasthan Royals pick Lhuan-dre Pretorius for the injured Nitish Rana.#TATAIPL | @rajasthanroyals | Details 🔽

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 8, 2025

This guy is the real deal. Lhuan-Dre Pretorius in IPL 2025 joins as the official replacement for Nitish Rana, and if his SA20 form is anything to go by, RR fans have a lot to look forward to. He’s aggressive at the top, knows how to handle pressure, and has a T20 strike rate of 147 across 33 games. Not bad for someone still waiting on his international cap.

What RR Has Left to Play For？

Let’s be honest—RR’s 2025 campaign hasn’t gone to plan. With just three wins from twelve matches, they’re out of the playoff race. But that doesn’t mean these last two games are meaningless. In fact, with Lhuan-Dre Pretorius in IPL 2025 stepping in as the replacement for Nitish Rana, there’s still plenty to get excited about. These matches are now about momentum, pride, and maybe even discovering a future star.

🇿🇦 Fearless. Power-packed. Royal!

You’ve seen him in Pink — and you’ll see him soon in IPL 2025. 🔥

Lhuan dre Pretorius steps in for Nitish Rana, who’s healing from a calf injury. Speedy recovery, Nitish bhai! 💗 pic.twitter.com/B2JzFUlKZo

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 8, 2025

The fact that Nitish Rana ruled out of IPL opens the door for someone like Pretorius to make a mark is a bittersweet twist, but that’s cricket. Fans will be eager to see if the youngster can carry over his red-hot SA20 form into the IPL and perhaps set the tone for future seasons.