Nitish Rana Reflects On Heated Confrontation With Digvesh Rathi, Says ‘The One Who Starts It…’ News24 –

Nitish Rana, the captain of West Delhi Lions in the season 2 of the Delhi Premier League 2025 has finally opened up about his heated on-field confrontation with Digvesh Rathi. The incident happened in match between West Delhi Lions and South Delhi Superstarz during the Eliminator at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.

The incident happened when Rathi pulled back just as he was about to bowl, and Rana responded in the same way in the next ball he pulled back. Despite the tension, Rana managed to hit a six in that same over, which seemed to further upset Rathi. What followed was a verbal spat, with Rathi expressing his displeasure towards Rana, who didn’t hold back and confronted the spinner directly. The confrontation escalated to the point where players from South Delhi Superstarz had to step in and separate the two.

“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,” Rana said during a media interaction, according to India Today.

“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,” he added.

“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,” said Rana.

“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.

Both Rana and Rathi have been fined for their misconduct. Digvesh Rathi is fined 80% of his match fees, while Rana is penalized with 50% match fee.