Fiery Face-Off: Abhishek, Rathi Clash in Heated IPL 2025 Showdown

Tensions flared during a high-octane IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi and SRH opener Abhishek Sharma were involved in a heated on-field altercation following a dramatic dismissal.

The incident occurred in the eighth over of SRH’s chase of a daunting 206-run target. Abhishek Sharma, in blistering form with 59 runs off just 20 balls, attempted to loft a wide googly from Rathi over the off-side but mistimed the shot. The ball flew to sweeper cover where Shardul Thakur took a sharp catch, ending an 82-run partnership between Abhishek and Ishan Kishan.

Rathi responded with his trademark “notebook” gesture and followed it up with a wave directed at Abhishek. The celebration provoked an immediate reaction from the departing batter, who turned back and confronted Rathi on the pitch. Umpires and teammates quickly stepped in and separated both players to de-escalate the tension.

Speaking after the match, Abhishek downplayed the incident. “I spoke to him at the end of the match. It’s all well now,” he said. The two were later seen shaking hands and exchanging words in a show of sportsmanship.

The moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, showing Abhishek visibly agitated and mouthing words at Rathi as he walked off.