In a dramatic turn of events during the IPL 2025 showdown between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Stadium, the focus shifted from the thrilling match to an intense on-field clash between SRH opener Abhishek Sharma and LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi. What began as an animated celebration quickly escalated into a post-match controversy that drew the attention of BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla.
The tension erupted mid-match when Digvesh Rathi dismissed Abhishek Sharma and followed up with his signature notebook celebration. Abhishek, who had hammered a quick-fire 59 off just 20 deliveries, took offense and responded with an angry verbal outburst. The incident escalated rapidly, prompting match officials and teammates to step in and defuse the heated exchange.
However, the situation didn’t end there. During the customary post-match handshake, LSG’s assistant coach Vijay Dahiya intervened, appearing to have a stern word with Abhishek. Moments later, in a shocking twist, Dahiya was seen slapping the SRH batter during his interaction with Rathi, reigniting the tension between the two players.
With emotions running high, Rajeev Shukla stepped in as a mediator, holding separate discussions with both Abhishek and Digvesh in an attempt to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Later, during the post-match presentation, Abhishek Sharma addressed the controversy, stating, “I spoke to him after the game, and it is all good now. These things happen in the heat of the moment.”
Despite the fiery episode, Abhishek’s blazing performance remained the highlight of the evening. His explosive innings, which featured six towering sixes and four boundaries, was instrumental in SRH’s successful chase, earning them a crucial six-wicket win—only their fourth of the season.
Reflecting on his aggressive batting approach, Abhishek said, “When chasing such a massive total, the plan was clear—to go hard in the powerplay. I always believe in expressing myself on the field. That same mindset helped me in international cricket as well.”
Abhishek Sharma continues to shine as SRH’s leading scorer this season, amassing 373 runs in 11 innings at a phenomenal strike rate of 192.26. His season so far includes a century and two fifties, with a top score of 141, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dynamic young batters in the tournament.
