Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi did something many young players dream of in his early IPL 2025 career. The young bowler took the big wicket of his favourite player Sunil Narine in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Rathi disrupted KKR’s flow while they were chasing a huge total of 239 by bowling one wide outside the off-stump. Narine tried to hit it over the covers but ended up giving a simple catch to Aiden Markram at deep extra cover.
Narine got out after scoring 30 runs from just 13 balls. He was looking dangerous, hitting four fours and two sixes, and helped KKR reach 91/1 in only 6.1 overs.
But unlike his usual ‘Notebook’ celebration in the last two matches, which got him in trouble and cost him part of his match fees. Rathi this time made a signing gesture on the ground likely as a tribute to his idol. After delivering a match-winning spell of 1/21 in four overs against Mumbai Indians, Rathi expressed his admiration for Sunil Narine.
Instant impact! 💥👍🏻#DigveshRathi comes into the attack and gets the wicket of his idol, #SunilNarine! 🙌🏻
Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/RsBcA7HaAO #IPLonJioStar 👉 #KKRvLSG | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/AkNVKFeQtw
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 8, 2025
“I watched Sunil Narine bowl and from that time I took to bowling. I want to make my mindset more attacking and be like Narine, especially in how he stays calm under pressure.” Rathi said in the post-match presentation.
Demerits and Fines: Young Star Already Under Scrutiny
Rathi got the chance to meet Narine during a net session at Eden Gardens before Tuesday’s match. Nicholas Pooran introduced him to the star all-rounder. Rathi made everyone laugh by saying he does the notebook celebration because he’s from Delhi.
Celebrating after taking Narine’s wicket was a bold move by the youngster in his first IPL season, especially since he already has two demerit points and a fine of around INR 20 lakh. Rathi’s wicket was important in helping LSG defend their huge total after they had raced to 162 runs in just 13 overs.
Shardul Thakur took the big wicket of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was batting on 61 off 35 balls. Lead spinner Ravi Bishnoi also made an impact by dismissing power-hitter Ramandeep Singh with a brilliant googly in the 14th over.
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