WATCH: Digvesh Rathi involved in heated altercation with West Delhi Lions opener, Nitish Rana's teammate replies with 2 huge sixes in 96-run knock

Impressive in his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut season, Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi is yet to take a wicket in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025. On August 5, the South Delhi Superstarz spinner known for his notebook celebration was involved in a heated altercation with West Delhi Lions opener Ankit Kumar. 

The incident took place in the fifth over of Lions' run chase. Rathi, in his third over, pulled out of his action seeing Ankit's trigger moment. Rathi often employed this move in the IPL 2025 to see whether the batter wants to target him. Then, he switched to round the wicket. As he was about to deliver the ball, Ankit stepped aside and the spinner had a few words to say. 

Later in the game, Ankit was well-set as Rathi was brought back into the attack by Ayush Badoni. The opener had the last say as he smashed him for two humongous sixes, one over long-off and the other over deep mid-wicket. Rathi conceded 33 runs from his quota of three overs. 

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Ankit went on to score 96 runs from 46 balls. He missed his century as Sumit Kumar Beniwal dismissed in the 16th over. His knock was studded with 11 fours and six sixes. He shared an opening partnership of 158 from 14 overs. His opening partner, Krish Yadav scored 67 runs from 42 balls, featuring nine fours and two sixes. Yadav was knocked over by Sagar Tanwar in the 14th over. 

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West Delhi Lions chased down the target with eight wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare. Skipper Rana hit one four and two sixes. Ayush Doseja finished the run chase with a boundary.

Superstarz miss the chance to set a challenging target

Earlier, Rana won the toss and opted to bowl first. Superstarz's top-order – Kunwar Bidhuri (27-ball 42), Sumit Mathur (29-ball 33) and Badoni's 25-ball 48 – laid a platform for a big score. But, Superstarz lost wickets in clusters and managed to post 185/7. For Lions, Anirudh Chowdhury was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 25 runs. 

South Delhi Superstarz have lost both their matches so far. Rathi will have a chance to write the first name on his notebook and open his wicket account on August 7 as the Badoni-led side go up against Central Delhi Kings.