“I’ll keep doing it in the future too” - Nitish Rana opens up on his verbal altercation with Digvesh Rathi in DPL 2025

West Delhi Lions captain Nitish Rana has finally opened up on his on-field altercation with the South Delhi Superstarz spinner Digvesh Rathi in the Eliminator of the ongoing Delhi Premier League 2025 season.

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In a video that’s going viral on the internet, Rana could be seen having a heated face off with Rathi by mimicking the latter with his signing celebration on his bat after hitting the bowler for a maximum.

After witnessing Rana’s antics, Rathi was quick to lose his cool. However, this didn’t go down well with Rana as he batter hurled a few words at the spinner. Eventually, umpires were quick to cool down both the players.

“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 Nitish during a media interaction.

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"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.

Moving into the details of the eliminator, Nitish played a sensational innings of 134*(55), helping West Delhi Lions chase down 202 in 17.1 overs and win the match by seven wickets. Later in Qualifier 2, Rana continued his good form, scoring 45* off 26 balls to propel his side to the grand finale, scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 31 in Delhi.

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