DPL Eliminator: Rana’s Bat and Words Clash with Rathi

The DPL 2025 Eliminator on August 29th was marked by an intense confrontation between Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi, taking center stage in the match between West Delhi Lionz and South Delhi Superstarz at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The issue stemmed from Rathi’s repeated interruptions during his bowling run-up, which angered West Delhi skipper Nitish Rana. The situation escalated when Rana retreated as Rathi was about to bowl, leading to a heated exchange of words. A high point of the drama occurred when Rana hit Rathi for a six, triggering an aggressive spat. Team members and umpires had to intervene quickly to resolve the situation. Previous events also saw players embroiled in a brief on-field confrontation following Krish Yadav’s dismissal. In contrast to the heated conflict, Nitish Rana delivered a remarkable innings, finishing with an unbeaten 134 off 55 balls, featuring 15 sixes and 8 boundaries. He dominated Rathi, scoring 38 runs from his two overs. Rana’s outstanding batting performance helped the Lionz chase down South Delhi’s 201/5 with seven wickets to spare, ensuring their advancement to the next stage. The incident between Rana and Rathi has sparked debates about player behavior during high-pressure games and became the most discussed event of DPL 2025.