The ongoing IPL 2026 may have had a blockbuster start, but the real drama unfolded before Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) faced each other on April 1. Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi have finally ended their rivalry ahead of the LSG vs DC clash in Lucknow, thanks to Rishabh Pant.
Rana and Digvesh Rathi were involved in an infamous on-field brawl during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) eliminator between West Delhi Lions and South Delhi Superstars in August 2025..
Flashback of Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi rivalry
During the eliminator, Rathi suddenly stopped bowling midway as Rana was about to play a shot, which angered the Delhi Lions captain. Rana backed off on the next ball, leading to a heated argument. After hitting Rathi for a six, Rana mocked him by copying the spinner’s signature “notebook celebration” on his bat.
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And the situation immediately deteriorated, almost turning physical, and umpires and teammates had to intervene. Later, both Rana and Rathi were fined heavily for their conduct during the match.
The shocking incident created a huge buzz among the Indian cricket fraternity and because of this, all eyes were on Rana’s Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2026 clash with Rathi’s Lucknow Supergiants on Wednesday.
Rishabh Pant came forward as a peacemaker before the IPL 2026 match
However, Rishabh Pant had different plans. Ahead of the IPL 2026 clash at the Ekana Stadium, the LSG skipper played the role of peacemaker between Rana and Rathi. In a video shared by Lucknow Super Giants on social media, Rana and Rathi were seen talking peacefully and laughing.
However, after a brief exchange Rathi started to leave, but Pant noticed the tension and called his partner back to resolve their differences peacefully. Rana also suggested that they needed to meet in private to ensure that all past issues were fully resolved.
In the clip, Pant was heard saying, “Tu kah jaa raha hai? Bas ho gaya” (Where are you going? That’s enough). Rana, on the other hand, was heard telling Rathi, “In that situation, I will have to sit with you.”
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Kuldeep Yadav turns serious moment into laughter
The serious situation turned funny when Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was standing nearby, jumped into the conversation with his usual fun-loving style.
“Given a lot of knowledge,” he joked and immediately hugged Rishabh Pant warmly. Hearing this, LSG captain Pant replied, “This is the problem with both of them.”
The meeting was ordered by the internet. pic.twitter.com/2eDeKETnvB
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) 31 March 2026
Diamonds will grow: Justin Langer on Rishabh Pant
Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer praised Rishabh Pant as he talked about the competition within Indian cricket. Langer said, as quoted by India. Today: “At his best, Rishabh Pant is smiling, competitive, punching and aggressive. We saw it in the last game last year. He was brilliant. But every Indian player knows competition.”
He said, “India has recently won the World Cup again. You can have three international teams. Whether you are as experienced as Rishabh or a young player, everyone is putting pressure to get selected. So yes, there is pressure, and it is good. Diamonds will emerge. He is in a good place. He is smiling, happy and batting well. He has the right people around him to bring out his best“