West Delhi Lions captain Nitish Rana refused to give out details of his ugly verbal spat with South Delhi Superstarz's Digvesh Rathi in Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 Eliminator clash on August 29. While Rana said that it was Rathi who started it, he did not blame the out-of-form mystery spinner for it as both were trying to win the game for their respective franchises.
“It’s not about who’s right or wrong, he came to win the match for his team, and I came to win for mine. But respecting the game of cricket is my responsibility, and it's his as well. He was the one who started it, I won’t say how or what happened, because that would be unfair. But yes, if someone pokes me or gets in my face, I’m not someone who will just sit quietly. Because this is how I’ve always played my cricket. If someone pokes me, and they think they’ll get me out by provoking me, then I can also hit back with sixes. What happened yesterday was an example of that,” said Rana during a media interaction after West Delhi Lions reached the DPL 2025 final.
"The one who starts it, it’s in their hands to end it. I’ve been in many fights so far, it’s not like I haven’t. But till today, I’ve never initiated anything. Yes, if someone says something to me first, I always respond and that’s my way. That’s how I’ve been brought up. My parents taught me that if you’re not wrong, then you should stand up for yourself and that’s exactly what I do, and I’ll keep doing it in the future too,” he added.
What led to the heated altercation between Rana and Rathi?
The incident took place in the 10th over of West Delhi Lions' run chase. After conceding a four and a six, Rathi bowled two dot balls. On the last delivery, Rathi pulled out of the delivery stride as he saw Rana going for a sweep. They exchanged a few words and then Rana pulled out of his batting stance when Rathi was about to deliver the ball. On the last ball, Rana went for a reverse sweep and the ball went over the fence. After the over, the two were involved in a heated altercation.
Rana goes berserk with bat, both players fined for altercation
While Rathi was fined 80 per cent of his match fee, Rana was handed a 50 per cent fine. He scored 134 runs from 55 balls, featuring eight fours and 15 sixes, leading West Delhi Lions to a comprehensive win chasing the target of 202.
In the Qualifier 2 against East Delhi Riders on August 30, he scored an unbeaten 26-ball 45 in the run chase. West Delhi Lions chased down 140 with eight wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare.