Digvesh Rathi, the 25-year-old mystery spinner for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has become one of the breakout stars of IPL 2025. Known for his Sunil Narine-inspired spin-bowling and unique notebook celebrations, Digvesh’s journey to the IPL is far from typical. His rise from a challenging childhood in Northeast Delhi to the IPL stage is a story of resilience, hard work, and perseverance.
A Struggling Start in Delhi
Growing up in a modest home in Saboli, Digvesh, along with his family, faced numerous struggles. Financial difficulties and lack of influence in the competitive cricketing world were daily obstacles. In a heartfelt conversation, his elder brother, Sunny, recalled how they were once advised to leave Delhi due to their financial situation. Sunny, who sacrificed his own cricket dreams to support the family, shared his pride in Digvesh’s journey. “We had no godfather, no money, no influence. We were told to move out of Delhi, but why should we run away?” Sunny said, reflecting on the adversity the family faced.
Despite these challenges, Digvesh never gave up. He earned the nickname “Bobby” from his father Dharmender, a tribute to the family’s love for Bollywood, especially to their older son Sunny. The nickname stuck, and as Digvesh worked tirelessly to hone his skills, his family’s unwavering support kept him motivated.
From Batsman to Bowler
Initially, Digvesh was a batter, with a style resembling that of Virender Sehwag. However, his path to success as a batter was never easy. He often found himself relegated to the sidelines in favor of more established players. Undeterred, Digvesh switched to bowling, inspired by the success of Sunil Narine in the IPL. His decision to take up spin-bowling with a unique action was a turning point. “He saw how Narine’s action worked in the IPL and decided to make the switch to bowling. It wasn’t an easy transition, but he worked tirelessly,” said Sunny, who supported Digvesh through the tough times, even taking up the role of wicketkeeper during practice sessions.
Digvesh spent countless hours in the nets, perfecting his craft with limited resources. The turning point came when he caught the eye of former India keeper-batter Vijay Dahiya, who recommended him to train at his academy. It was here that Digvesh’s talent began to shine, and his performances in the Delhi Premier League, where he picked up 14 wickets for South Delhi Superstarz, opened doors to the IPL.
Breakthrough in IPL 2025
Picked up for ₹30 lakh by LSG, Digvesh Rathi made an immediate impact in IPL 2025. His standout performance came in a high-scoring match against Mumbai Indians, where he took 1/21, earning the Player of the Match award. As of now, he has claimed 9 wickets in 7 matches at an impressive economy rate of 7.43. His rise in IPL has been a testament to his relentless work ethic, with captain Rishabh Pant trusting him as a key bowler for the team.
A Family’s Support and Belief
Digvesh’s journey has been marked by the unwavering support of his family. His father, Dharmender, who works as an assistant at a building material shop, always believed in his son’s passion for cricket. His mother, Manju, was the quiet force behind his success, advising him to stay grounded amid his achievements. Their belief in Digvesh, even when times were tough, played a key role in his journey to the IPL.
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