Lucknow Super Giants’ Digvesh Rathi has made a name for himself this season of the Indian Premier League with his wicket-taking ability, and his ability to then get under the skin of the dismissed batter with his notebook send-off. On Monday, he was at it again: giving the LSG a breakthrough wicket of the well-set Abhishek Sharma just when things were beginning to look insurmountable. And while Abhishek Sharma was walking off after handing a catch to Shardul Thakur at extra cover region, he was given a signature send-off and a full-blooded glare by Digvesh Rathi. This led Abhishek Sharma to eyeball the bowler as he walked away. But then he stopped and walked back towards Rathi. The duo had to be separated by the umpire and the LSG fielders but not before they exchanged some words.
Before all of this drama happened, a little context: Abhishek Sharma had scored a 19-ball 59 to power the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 206 runs. The SRH were 99/1 in just eight overs. That was when Digvesh Rathi was called in to get a breakthrough by PSG captain Rishabh Pant. And the spinner delivered, by getting the wicket of Abhishek Sharma. Later on he also dismissed Ishan Kishan (although this time there was no direct confrontation with the batter).
The two players — Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma — later also spoke to each other while the teams were shaking hands after the Sunrisers won by six wickets — a result meant that Lucknow Super Giants cannot qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Vijay Dahiya of the LSG was seen intervening at this post-game conversation to help cool tempers. Later, while the teams were on the ground for the the presentation ceremony, both Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma were seen standing next to each other having a calm conversation when BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla walked up to the duo.
Later on, the two players were also spotted enjoying a chuckle together.
Here’s a look at how the incident between Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma happened in photos
Digvesh Rathi gives Abhishek Sharma a signature notebook send-off in the IPL 2025 clash. (Screenshot via JioHotstar)
SRH’s Abhishek Sharma walks back to confront LSG’s Digvesh Rathi for the send-off in the IPL 2025 clash. (Screenshot via JioHotstar)
Umpires intervene to separate Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma. (Screenshot via JioHotstar)
Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma speak after the IPL 2025 game between LSG and SRH. (Screenshot via JioHotstar)
BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla joins Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma as they speak after the IPL 2025 game between LSG and SRH. (Screenshot via JioHotstar)
Abhishek Sharma, who was the Player of the Match, spoke about the incident to the broadcaster JioHotstar.
“We [him and Rathi] spoke after the game, it is all good now,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Rathi who has earned multiple fines for his notebook celebrations, warned rich praise from LSG captain Rishabh Pant.
“The bowler Rathi has come up nicely. This is his first season. The way he bowled, it was good to see. Rathi is one of the positives,” Pant said after the game.