When Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) introduced Digvesh Singh Rathi into their bowling attack against Delhi Capitals, few expected what followed. On his IPL debut, the 23-year-old mystery spinner delivered a spell that left experienced batter Axar Patel bamboozled — his third delivery in the tournament dismantled Axar’s stumps, signalling the arrival of a new talent.

Rathi’s journey to the Indian Premier League is rooted in domestic grind and consistent performances. His breakthrough came during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024, where he represented South Delhi Superstarz under the leadership of Ayush Badoni. With 14 wickets in 10 games, he finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

What set Rathi apart was not just his numbers, but the way he controlled even seasoned batters like Rishabh Pant. His bowling style, often compared to the likes of Sunil Narine, featured subtle variations, deceptive flight, and the ability to generate bounce. It was enough to catch the attention of IPL scouts by the end of the DPL season.

At the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, LSG acquired Rathi for ₹30 lakh — a quiet pick amidst a high-spending season that saw a total of over ₹639 crore disbursed across franchises. Despite not being a marquee signing, Rathi carried the weight of potential.

His selection was backed by strong performances, including a key spell of 2/11 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 against Manipur — a performance that highlighted his temperament under pressure.

Come the match against Delhi Capitals, all eyes were on KL Rahul’s absence and the lack of LSG’s premium pace options. Yet, it was Rathi who seized the spotlight in the 7th over. Calm and composed, his delivery turned sharply, stunning Axar Patel and putting LSG in control.

Rathi’s debut may not have been the centre of pre-match discussions, but it certainly became the headline after. As the season unfolds, LSG fans and IPL watchers alike will be keeping a close eye on this emerging spinner with a bag full of tricks.

Veteran Bangladesh cricketer and former national team captain Tamim Iqbal was rushed to a hospital in Dhaka on Monday after he experienced chest pain during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match. The incident took place during the first innings of the 50-over match between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club at the BKSP ground in Savar.

According to match referee Debabrata Paul, a helicopter was initially arranged to transport the 36-year-old cricketer, but he had to be shifted via road and was admitted to Fazilatunnesa Hospital for further medical evaluation.

Iqbal, a key figure in Bangladesh’s cricketing history, had stepped away from international cricket earlier this year, marking his second retirement announcement after a brief return in 2023. His first announcement in July 2023 was retracted within 24 hours following a meeting with then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Having last played for the national team in 2023, Tamim has an illustrious record with 5,134 runs in 70 Tests, 8,357 runs in 243 ODIs, and 1,758 runs from 78 T20Is, making him one of the most accomplished batters in Bangladesh’s cricket history.

Further updates on his health condition are awaited.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s power-packed batting display in their IPL 2025 opener has ignited bold predictions, with former South African legend pacer Dale Steyn confidently stating that SRH will become the first team to score 300 runs in an IPL match — and he even knows the date.

Taking to social media, former SRH bowling coach predicted April 17 as the historic day, when SRH face Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. “Small prediction. April 17 we’ll see the first 300 in IPL. Who knows, I might even be there to see it happen,” Steyn tweeted.

SRH nearly reached the landmark on Sunday, piling up a massive 286/6 against Rajasthan Royals, their second-highest total in IPL history. The Sunrisers already holds four of the five highest team scores in the tournament and seems closest to breaching the elusive 300-run barrier.

When a fan questioned what would happen if Mumbai Indians chose to bat first, Steyn responded with humour and readiness, saying, “Haha! Great point,” showing he had thought through a backup plan.

The confidence stems from SRH’s past dominance over MI, particularly in Mumbai. The last time these two teams clashed at Wankhede, Sunrisers posted 277/3, with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen launching an assault with a combined 17 sixes.

Contrasting starts to IPL 2025 for SRH and MI

SRH began their campaign in style with a 44-run win over Rajasthan Royals. The highlight was Ishan Kishan’s century — the first of IPL 2025. Picked for Rs 11.25 crore at the IPL mega-auction, the former Mumbai Indians opener appears to have revived his career after missing out on BCCI’s central contracts and falling behind in India’s wicketkeeping race.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians continued their long-standing struggle with season openers, suffering their 13th consecutive first-match defeat. Despite putting up a fight, they lost to Chennai Super Kings, with half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad guiding CSK to victory.