The Indian Premier League (IPL) may still be the most exciting T20 league in the world, but even its most ardent fans would admit it’s not quite the same anymore. The dynamic between teams and players has grown far more cordial and subdued compared to the fiery clashes and on-field spats of the past. Remember when Kieron Pollard nearly chucked his bat at Mitchell Starc? Or when MS Dhoni stormed onto the field to confront the umpires? Or the heated face-offs between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli – not once, but twice? Or even when Ambati Rayudu lost his cool at his own Mumbai Indians teammate Harbhajan Singh? Sigh. Like we said. The good old days.
Last year, another bust-up had fans eagerly circling this IPL season. During the Delhi Premier League, Digvesh Rathi and Nitish Rana clashed and nearly came to blows. Rathi, unimpressed with Rana’s version of the notebook celebration, hurled abuse as tempers flared during a match between West Delhi Lions and South Delhi Superstarz. Hence, when the Lucknow Super Giants took on the Delhi Capitals, anticipation was sky-high for their much-awaited face-off. But, much to the fans’ disappointment, the tension was diffused, by none other than Rishabh Pant.
Rathi and Rana appeared to be on talking terms as cameras captured the two ahead of Wednesday’s clash at the Ekana Stadium. Rathi had begun to walk away after a brief exchange, with Rana patting him on the shoulder, but Pant sensed there was still unfinished business. The Lucknow Super Giants captain called Rathi back, urging him to return and settle matters with Rana once and for all.
“Tu kaha ja raha hai? Bas ho gaya, (Where are you going? Enough” Pant told his teammate. Rana was even heard telling Rathi, “In that case, I’ll have to sit with you.”
Kuldeep enters the fray
The situation grew so animated that Kuldeep Yadav, standing nearby, couldn’t resist stepping in. “Bohut gyaan de diya,” he quipped before sharing a warm hug with Rishabh Pant. The Pant-Kuldeep bromance is nothing new. As part of India’s Test setup, Pant is often heard chirping away behind the stumps whenever Kuldeep is bowling, and this was just another glimpse of their easy camaraderie. Pant then added, “This is the problem with both.”
While the prospect of Rathi bowling to Rana remains an intriguing sub-plot, Kuldeep steaming in to Pant isn’t far behind in terms of compelling individual match-ups. Both the Delhi Capitals and the Lucknow Super Giants – who endured underwhelming campaigns last year, finishing fifth and seventh respectively – will be keen to make a fresh start this season.
