Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma has opened up about his on-field altercation with Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi during their IPL 2025 clash on Monday. The drama unfolded after Abhishek was dismissed in the eighth over, attempting to attack Rathi’s wrong’un but losing his shape in the process. Rathi celebrated the wicket with his now-famous “notebook celebration” and gestured toward the pavilion, an old-school send-off that sparked a tense exchange. Umpires had to intervene as the two players exchanged words, but the heat cooled post-match when they shook hands. Abhishek later explained his approach during the chase: “I spoke to him after the game and it is all good now. If we batted first, I might have had other plans, but chasing such a total we had a clear plan… Just express myself and knock it around,” he said at the post-match presentation. Also READ: Digvesh Rathi crosses limits, triggered Abhishek Sharma after dismissing him LSG knocked out of playoffs as SRH cruise past 206-run target The tense moment between Abhishek and Rathi was just one storyline in a match that sealed Lucknow Super Giants’ fate this season. Despite a powerful 115-run opening stand from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, LSG stumbled in the death overs to finish at 205/7. Sunrisers chased down the target with ease, led by Abhishek Sharma’s 59 and Heinrich Klaasen’s 47, cruising to 206/4 in just 18.5 overs. Digvesh Rathi impressed with 2/37, but it wasn’t enough as SRH completed a six-wicket win. Also READ: LSG set 205, but SRH chased 206 with Sharma’s blazing 59 to win by 6 wickets. With this defeat, LSG are officially eliminated from the playoff race. Before heading into this contest, they were supposed to win all their matches to stay in contention. Currently, the team has five wins from twelve matches. The result leaves Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals as the remaining contenders for the final playoff spot in IPL 2025. MI are currently in the 4th spot with seven wins, while DC are in 5th spot with six wins and 13 points.