Behind Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi’s much-discussed clash with SunRisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma during the IPL was a simmering backstory. A few months prior to the IPL 2025 season, Sharma had smashed Rathi for two sixes in an over during a Sahibzada Ajit Singh Memorial Tournament match at Khalsa College ground in Delhi. Although Rathi dismissed Sharma in the same over, it was declared a no ball—leaving the bowler seething.
Later, when LSG bought Rathi at the IPL 2025 auction, the long-haired spinner confided in his coach, Sachin Shukla, that his ‘goal’ for the season was to dismiss Sharma. However, when the moment arrived, Rathi’s celebratory outburst crossed the line. His aggressive send-off breached the IPL Code of Conduct and led to his third disciplinary offence of the season—earning him a suspension and a fine. Sharma too was fined, but escaped suspension.
“The day he was picked by LSG, he said that if he went on to dismiss Abhishek in the IPL, he would have achieved his target,” reveals Shukla.
Signature style and controversy
Rathi is known for a distinctive celebration—pretending to write something in the air or on the ground after taking a wicket. He has told Shukla he does not intend to change his style. However, it is the act of sending off batsmen after dismissing them that has repeatedly landed him in trouble, with the IPL’s rules explicitly prohibiting such gestures.
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A mystery spinner makes headlines
At 25, Rathi has emerged as one of the breakout mystery spinners of IPL 2025, adding flair and drama to a game increasingly driven by numbers and broadcast deals. His unique bowling action—modelled on West Indian all-rounder and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Sunil Narine—his tied-back long hair, and theatrical celebrations have become his calling card.
Though a known figure in Delhi’s local cricket circles, Rathi’s breakthrough came in the inaugural T20 Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024, where he represented South Delhi Superstarz. He ended as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps in 10 matches at an impressive economy rate of 7.82. His well-disguised googlies troubled batsmen and caught the attention of IPL scouts.
As the DPL was broadcast live, Rathi gained national visibility for the first time. He was soon picked in the Delhi squad for the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Based on his DPL performance, he was signed by LSG at his base price of ₹30 lakh.
Before the IPL 2025 mega auction, LSG had already retained Delhi player Ayush Badoni and made headlines by signing Rishabh Pant—also from Delhi—for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore. It is likely that both Badoni, who relied on Rathi during the DPL, and Rishabh recommended him to the franchise.
A dream debut season
Rathi made an immediate impact in his debut IPL match by dismissing Delhi Capitals’ captain Axar Patel with his third ball. Originally an off-spinner, he switched to leg-spin after being inspired by Narine—a transition that paid off handsomely.
His standout moment came in his fourth match, where he won the Man of the Match award against Mumbai Indians at LSG’s home ground in Lucknow. Remarkably, he earned the honour after taking just one wicket—his spell of 4-0-21-1 included tying up the Mumbai batting lineup and bowling Naman Dhir with a classic leg-break.
“I’m really enjoying it. I like to get batters out. I watched Sunil Narine bowl and from that time I took to bowling. I want to make my mindset more attacking, want to be like Narine, on how he stays calm even during pressure situations,” said Rathi after the match.
Rishabh’s trust in Rathi was clear—he was the only LSG bowler to complete his full quota of four overs in every match. Rathi ended the season as LSG’s top wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 13 games at a commendable economy of 8.25, boosting his chances for future opportunities.
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From humble beginnings to the IPL
Rathi’s journey began in modest surroundings in Delhi. With his father working at a private firm, Rathi may have seen cricket as a path to uplift his family. He joined the Dronacharya Cricket Academy in 2017, run by Dronacharya Awardee Gurcharan Singh, as an off-spinner.
An invitation from KKR to be a net bowler changed everything. Watching Narine up close, Rathi decided to mimic his action and switched to leg-spin—a decision no one in his circle discouraged.
Despite trial matches for KKR and Punjab Kings, and serving as a net bowler for Delhi Capitals in 2022 and 2023, Rathi remained uncapped. Eventually, it was LSG—likely persuaded by Rishabh and Badoni—who gave him his break.
Back in 2017–18, Rathi had performed well in Delhi’s local league and was selected for a Ranji Trophy camp. However, he wasn’t picked for the final squad or the under-19 team. He is yet to make his first-class debut, in part because his focus remains on white-ball cricket.
“He says he doesn’t want to limit himself to the IPL, but wants to don the blue jersey of the India team [worn for T20s and ODIs],” says Shukla. The coach adds that Rathi continues to practise with both white and red balls.
Dedication and resilience
In the 2018–19 season, Rathi suffered a hairline fracture in his right collarbone while diving to stop a boundary during a local match. He returned to the game after a few months.
During his early days at the academy, Rathi bowled numerous no balls. “That was mainly due to a faulty take-off point in his bowling stride. He would cross the line while bowling effort balls—googly and carrom ball,” Shukla recalls. “But he is a quick learner and overcame that flaw quickly. He’s also very friendly.”
The coach describes Rathi as a tireless worker. “He bowls for hours at the nets. During the Covid pandemic, he trained by bowling at a single stump. He would bowl off-spin to strong batsmen and reserve his carrom balls and googlies for the less competent ones,” Shukla adds.
As Rathi’s star rises, so too does his ambition. Whether it’s his flair for drama, his fierce competitiveness, or his disciplined work ethic, the spinner from Delhi has announced himself as a player to watch—not just for LSG, but for Indian cricket.
