IPL 2025: How Digvesh Rathi Transformed Himself From A Batter To Mystery Spinner

Digvesh Rathi was bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his base price of INR 30 lakh at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. It has proved to be a masterstroke as the spinner has picked up nine wickets in seven matches so far and is Rishabh Pant's go-to bowler. 

Moreover, he is known for his notebook celebration and has already been fined twice this season. Digvesh's elder brother Sunny recalled how Digvesh transformed himself from a batter who looked up to Virender Sehwag to turning into a bowler, modelling himself after Sunil Narine.

“Digvesh had no godfather. We had no money or influence. We were advised to move out of Delhi. Par bhag kyun jaye [but why would we run away]?” Sunny, who is a police constable at the Mandoli Prison Complex, told The Indian Express.

Although Digvesh was initially a batter, he did not get many opportunities to bat at the nets, as the most famous names in the academies would be given a chance first. After this, he decided to take up bowling more seriously. 

“When it was Digvesh’s turn to bat, most of the good bowlers were disinterested in bowling because he wasn’t a known name. When he played good strokes against them, their ego was hurt, too. Players brought their own cricket balls, so they didn’t want to waste it on him. I would bowl to him for hours but facing only one bowler limits a batsman,” Sunny recalled.

Coming from a humble background, it was not easy for Digvesh or his brother Sunny, who gave up his cricketing ambitions to ensure his brother got to live the dream. He would help Digvesh out by keeping wickets to him. 

All of Digvesh's hard work finally paid off when former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya spotted him. Dahiya asked Digvijay to train in his academy and then went on to play for South Delhi Superstarz, for whom he picked up 14 wickets.