Digvesh Rathi embodies more than just the spin-bowling style reminiscent of Sunil Narine and his celebratory notebook antics. The standout spinner of IPL 2025, who has become the preferred bowler for Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, has navigated a life filled with hardships and challenges. His ascent against formidable odds resembles a cinematic narrative. Nicknamed 'Bobby' by his father, Dharmender, following the arrival of his elder brother, Sunny, a Bollywood influence was inevitable.

Throughout his upbringing, Digvesh and his family encountered numerous obstacles, including the pressure to leave Delhi. In an emotional discussion at their humble residence in Saboli, Northeast Delhi, Digvesh's elder brother Sunny recounted the trials and resilience that have defined the journey of the IPL 2025 breakout spinner. Sunny, a former left-arm spinner who set aside his own cricket aspirations to support the family, shared the financial struggles and lack of connections that led to suggestions for them to relocate. “Digvesh had no godfather, we lacked money and influence. We were told to leave Delhi. Par bhag kyun jaye (but why should we run away)?” Sunny, now serving as a police constable at the Mandoli Prison Complex, spoke with pride about his brother’s determination.

Known affectionately as ‘Bobby’ within his family, Digvesh has emerged from these adversities to excel with the Lucknow Super Giants. Acquired for ₹30 lakh, the 25-year-old mystery spinner was awarded the Player of the Match against the Mumbai Indians, achieving figures of 1/21 in a high-scoring encounter, which marked his fourth match in the IPL. Sunny underscored Digvesh’s unwavering dedication, reminiscing about his rigorous training at Poorvi Delhi Khel Parisar, where he transitioned from a batsman with a Sehwag-like cover drive to a bowler inspired by Sunil Narine. “He’s here because of his sheer hard work,” Sunny asserted.

Their father, Dharmender, an assistant at a building material shop, always believed in Digvesh’s passion, even through setbacks. Manju, their mother, expressed quiet faith, advising Digvesh to stay grounded amid success.

From Sehwag-like batter to Narine-like spinner

Initially, Digvesh was a batsman, but as he grew older, securing opportunities to bat in the nets became increasingly challenging. More prominent players from superior academies were often prioritised. Observing this, Digvesh made the decision to transition entirely to bowling. He was inspired by Narine's distinctive bowling style and his achievements in the IPL with KKR, prompting him to adopt leg spin while emulating Narine's technique. “When it was Digvesh’s turn to bat, many skilled bowlers showed little interest in bowling to him because he was not a recognised name. When he managed to play well against them, it bruised their egos. Since players brought their own cricket balls, they were reluctant to use them on him. I would bowl to him for hours, but facing only one bowler restricts a batsman's development,” remarked Sunny.

The journey was arduous. He dedicated countless hours to honing his skills, with his brother serving as the wicketkeeper. His hard work began to pay off when he caught the attention of former India wicketkeeper-batsman Vijay Dahiya while playing for various teams in Delhi. Dahiya invited him to train at his academy. Subsequently, during the Delhi Premier League, Digvesh excelled, taking 14 wickets for South Delhi Superstarz.

This success opened the doors to the IPL, with Dahiya once again playing a pivotal role in recommending him to the LSG management.

In the current IPL season, Digvesh has already claimed 9 wickets in 7 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 7.43.

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