- By Namrata Vijay
- Sun, 31 Aug 2025 12:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
DPL 2025: Nitish Rana has finally reacted to his on-field heated exchange with Digvesh Rathi in the DPL 2025 clash. Both players were seen arguing with each other in the Eliminator clash in Delhi. A video of the heated argument had gone viral on social media, where Nitish was seen hurling abuses at Rathi and then also making fun of his notebook celebration when he had smashed Rathi for a six.
Rathi then got irritated by Nitish's actions, and then he also abused Rana back, and the batter didn't take it in a positive stride, and he walked angrily towards Rathi, and thus they were involved in a heated exchange. Post this incident, Nitish reckoned that Rathi had started the argument, but didn't reveal much as to what was said during this exchange.
“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,” Nitish told reporters during the post-match press conference.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: How Many Times India And Pakistan Have Met In Continental Tournament
At the same time, he also talked about how he didn't have any control over ending the fight since Rathi had started it.
"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 concluded.
Nitish maintained his sublime form during the second qualifier of the ongoing tournament as he scored a brilliant knock of 45 runs, in which he had smashed four fours and two sixes. He had also scored a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 134 runs and helped West Delhi Lions chase the target of 202 runs in 17 overs and took the team across the line.
On the back of his brilliant performances, West Delhi have qualified for the summit clash, where they will lock horns with Central Delhi Kings on Sunday.
