IPL 2025: BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla pacifies Abhishek Sharma-Digvesh Rathi altercation

Abhishek Sharma and Digvesh Rathi (Source: BCCI/IPL)

and Abhishek Sharma got into a war of words during the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) match on Monday, May 19, after the leg-spinner dismissed the opening batter and brought out his trademark notebook celebration at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a 206-run target, SRH needed Abhishek to give them a flying start. The Punjab cricketer did exactly that as he took the LSG bowlers to the cleaners. In the seventh over of the run-chase, Abhishek slammed Ravi Bishnoi for four consecutive sixes. The former tried to take Rathi on in the following over but holed out to Shardul Thakur towards deep cover.

Abhishek smashed 59 runs off just 20 deliveries. As he was making his way back to the dugout, Rathi gave him a fierce send-off. The two cricketers approached each other and were involved in a heated exchange before the umpires intervened.

After SRH won the match by six wickets in 18.2 overs, and the customary handshakes began, Abhishek could be seen having a lengthy discussion with LSG assistant coach Vijay Dahiya. Shortly afterwards, Abhishek and Rathi could be seen exchanging a few more words before Dahiya asked the former to move on.

Later on, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla was seen trying to play a peacemaker between the two youngsters, and the visuals of that exchange started going viral on social media. Abhishek admitted that things are now ‘good’ with Rathi after their post-match conversation.

“I spoke to him after the game, and it is all good now," Abhishek said after the riveting encounter and went on to explain his game plan while batting on Monday.

"If we batted first, I might have had other plans, but chasing such a total, we had a clear plan. If you ask any player who has been doing well for the team, chasing 200-plus something you should be able to win the powerplay. I wanted to express myself, and if I do well, I know the team is gonna do well as well,” he added.

LSG were eliminated after going down to SRH on Monday. Abhishek fittingly won the Player of the Match award for his blitzkrieg at the top.