IPL 2025: Rathi Stuns Idol Narine with First-Ball Magic in KKR vs LSG match

Dreams turned into reality at Eden Gardens today, April 8, 2025, when Lucknow Super Giants’ young gun Digvesh Rathi sent his idol, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine, packing with his very first ball in their IPL 2025 clash. The leggie from Delhi, who’s been turning heads this season, floated up a beauty; a teasing leg break that Narine could only slap straight to wide long-off, cutting short a dangerous knock. The crowd buzzed, but Rathi wasn’t done. He whipped out his infamous “send-off” celebration, this time scratching an imaginary pen across the grass, a cheeky nod to his growing list of scalps. It’s the stuff kids scribble in their daydreams, and Rathi’s living it. This wasn’t just a wicket; it was personal. Rathi’s been vocal about his love for Narine, telling everyone after his last game against Mumbai Indians how watching the KKR star sling those mystery balls sparked his own bowling fire. “I saw Sunil Narine bowl and fell in love with it,” he’d said, grinning ear to ear. “I want to attack like him, stay cool when it’s tight; that’s my goal.” And there he was, cool as you like, outfoxing the man he’s modeled himself after. LSG’s social media even caught the warm-up act: Rathi, all shy smiles, meeting Narine before the game, with Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran ribbing him like big brothers. Then he went and stole the show.

Meeting your idol in front of your squad be like… pic.twitter.com/9UeoAGxpxr

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 6, 2025

But here’s the rub; Rathi’s flirting with trouble. That notebook move’s landed him in hot water twice already this season: a 25% match fee fine for waving off Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya, then a hefty 50% cut and two demerit points for Naman Dhir’s send-off against Mumbai. Switching from hand to turf might not save him from the IPL rulebook’s glare; fans are already buzzing about whether he’ll cop another hit. Love him or hate him, Rathi’s got the spotlight, and with his knack for wickets and flair for drama, he’s not letting it go anytime soon.

                                               

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