The Delhi Premier League 2025 was in the news on Friday for reasons other than cricket. In the Eliminator between South Delhi Superstarz and West Delhi Lions, two popular IPL stars, Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi, were seen having a heated exchange.
The fight blew out of proportion so fast that the other players and umpires had to get between the two of them. Both were subsequently fined by the Delhi Premier League committee, with Rathi having to pay 80 percent of his match fee and Rana having to forfeit 50 percent.
Controversy aside, Rana’s West Delhi Lions made it to the grand finale, where they will play Central Delhi Kings on Sunday.
Nitish Rana’s Viral Instagram Post
In the wake of the altercation, Rana ignited the internet with a mysterious social media message. Posting a photo on Instagram, he stood with his baby, quietly placing the baby’s finger on his lips an unmistakable “keep quiet” sign.
The post also went viral as soon as it was posted, with responses coming from fellow cricketers, teammates in the IPL, and cricket fans as well. The comment section was soon filled with witty and funny responses, making Rana’s understated message go viral in cricketing circles.
IPL Stars Respond to Nitish Rana’s Post
England’s Phil Salt, a former teammate of Rana at Kolkata Knight Riders, jokingly posted, “Rana Ji” and laughing emojis.
Another of his erstwhile KKR teammates, now playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, added: “That’s why I always call you BADSHAH.”
Rana’s current IPL team, Rajasthan Royals, also chimed in with a one-word remark: “Special.” Fast bowler Harshit Rana, famous for having a fiery temper, had this to say: “Yeh hui na baat (That’s the spirit).”
The post also focused on the bonhomie among IPL superstars as well as how players stand by one another even amidst controversies.
Nitish Rana Breaks Silence on the Spat
Rana later spoke of the altercation in a media interaction, where he directly blamed Rathi for instigating him.
“It’s not right or wrong, he has come to win the match for his side, and I have come to win for mine. But respecting the game of cricket is my duty, and it was his duty also. He initiated it,” Rana said, as per India Today and informed by a source.
The Delhi batsman also made his strategy towards on-field confrontations clear, “Yes, if someone pokes me or gets into my face, I’m not a person who will sit calmly. Because this is how I’ve played my cricket all along. If someone pokes me, and they think that they’ll get me out by annoying me, then I can also respond with sixes. What happened was one such instance,” he said.
With the furore still recent, everyone’s attention will now be on Nitish Rana as he captains West Delhi Lions in the Delhi Premier League final against Central Delhi Kings. The focus will be as much on his performance and temperament, as the fans wait to see whether he can shift the spotlight away from his model wife affair towards cricket and provide his team another unforgettable triumph.
