The Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 Eliminator clash between West Delhi Lions and South Delhi Superstarz turned controversial on Friday (August 29) after five players were penalised for breaching the Code of Conduct. The high-scoring encounter, played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, saw heated altercations overshadowing West Delhi’s impressive seven-wicket win while chasing a 202-run target in just 17.1 overs.
The tension began during West Delhi’s chase when star batter Nitish Rana had a fiery exchange of words with pacer Digvesh Rathi, sparking a dramatic on-field confrontation. The drama didn’t end there; Rana’s teammate Krish Yadav was involved in another spat with Sumit Mathur and Aman Bharti after his dismissal in the 11th over.
Multiple clips of the altercations have since gone viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from fans. Following an official review, DPL imposed heavy fines on the players. Digvesh Rathi was fined 80% of his match fees under Article 2.2 (Level 2) for conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket.
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Nitish Rana and Mathur received 50% fines each for obscene or provocative gestures, while Bharti was docked 20% for audible obscenity. The harshest penalty went to Krish, who lost 100% of his match fees for pointing his bat towards an opposing player while using abusive language, a Level 2 offense under Article 2.3.
It’s all happening here! 🔥🏏
Nitish Rana | Digvesh Singh Rathi | West Delhi Lions | South Delhi Superstarz | #DPL #DPL2025 #AdaniDPL2025 #Delhi pic.twitter.com/OfDZQGhOlr
— Delhi Premier League T20 (@DelhiPLT20) August 29, 2025
An intense moment in the middle! 🏏
Nitish Rana | Digvesh Singh Rathi | West Delhi Lions | South Delhi Superstarz | #DPL #DPL2025 #AdaniDPL2025 #Delhi pic.twitter.com/dX5E5wFDqd
— Delhi Premier League T20 (@DelhiPLT20) August 29, 2025
The league stressed that disciplinary action was necessary to “maintain the spirit of the game,” warning players to exercise restraint. These fines send a strong message that while competitive spirit is encouraged, crossing the line will not be tolerated in domestic cricket’s fast-growing T20 leagues.
WATCH – Digvesh Rathi and Nitish Rana Involved In Heated Scuffle During DPL Eliminator
Despite the chaos, West Delhi’s dominant performance stood out, powered by Nitish Rana’s blazing 134 off just 55 balls. The win secured their place in Qualifier 2, where they’ll face East Delhi Riders on Saturday (August 30) for a spot in the DPL 2025 final.
With tensions high and viral clips fueling conversations, all eyes will be on the Lions’ next game to see whether cricket takes center stage or tempers flare again.
