Watch: Digvesh Rathi celebrates like Neymar after dismissing Axar Patel for maiden IPL wicket

The 25-year-old Delhi leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday, March 24.

Digvesh Rathi represented the Lucknow Super Giants in his IPL debut game against the Delhi Capitals at the Dr. YSR Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Also Read: Watch: Digvesh Rathi warns Ashutosh Sharma with 'Mankad' threat in DC vs LSG IPL 2025 clash

Digvesh Rathi celebrates like Neymar after dismissing Axar Patel

Rathi, who gained attention for his performance in the Delhi Premier League, was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his base price of INR 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

He has long hair like MS Dhoni, and his run-up resembles the superstar mystery spinner Sunil Narine as he hides the ball behind his back.

Digvesh Rathi was introduced in the attack on the third over of the second innings and he conceded 9 runs in the over. In his second over, he bagged the huge wicket of Axar Patel and gave away 13 runs.

On the third ball of the 6th over, Rathi bowled a googly to Axar, who moved across to the offside to hit it over the in-field on the leg side but did not hit it off the middle and found Nicholas Pooran at square leg.

After picking the wicket, Digvesh Rathi was seen emulating the celebration of the famous Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, who plays as a left winger, attacking midfielder or forward.

Watch: Digvesh Rathi emulates Neymar after dismissing Axar Patel

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— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) March 24, 2025

LSG's injury-hit bowling receives backing

Lucknow Super Giants are without their strong Indian pace-bowling unit in the first few matches of the Indian Premier League 2025. Mayank Yadav, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan are recovering from injuries while Mohsin Khan has been ruled out of the competition.

Despite a weakened bowling unit, LSG received backing from the former India pacer Varun Aaron. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Aaron stated:

"That's a really sticky situation to be in, especially for Heydos good mate, Justin Langer. He never saw this coming. All his main fast bowlers injured, especially at the start of the tournament. You want to stabilize your team.

"You want to go in with a unit which you can build, but that's not going to happen. But that being said, that's an opportunity for somebody like Shardul Thakur again. Didn't get picked in the auction. Has done well in the IPL previously. He'll have a point to prove. Akash Singh, again, a good left-arm fast bowler."

"Just not been given enough games when he was playing with CSK. He's got an opportunity. And then Shamar Joseph, a really, really good fast bowler. So their fast bowling isn't looking really, really off-colour. I think they can still do the job and revolve around somebody like Ravi Bishnoi."