WATCH: Nitish Rana, Ayush Badoni engage in heated tussle during SMAT 2024 quarter-final

There was a passionate confrontation between Nitish Rana and Ayush Badoni in the second quarter-final of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. The Delhi-born Rana, who used to play for Delhi till 2023, was engaged in a fierce moment with the incumbent Delhi skipper at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The verbal war between the two started ever since Badoni came to the crease. However, things got out of hand during the 13th over of Delhi's innings. Badoni, who clipped one of Rana's deliveries to midwicket, was apparently hurled at by Rana. Badoni did not take comments kindly as the two cricketers came face-to-face before the on-field umpire had to intervene.

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Interestingly, this was not the first instance of Rana's involvement in an on-field argument. Notably, he had a duel with fellow statesman, Hrithik Shokeen, during IPL 2023 when the Delhi youngster gave him a send-off before Rana, who was representing Kolkata Knight Riders, turned around and snapped back sharply.

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Badoni has the last laugh by dismissing Rana

The former Delhi player could survive only the three deliveries during Uttar Pradesh's run-chase as Badoni dismissed him for two runs off three balls. UP were eventually bowled out for 174 while chasing 194 as Delhi's wicketkeeper-batter, Anuj Rawat, who slammed 73 off just 33 was adjudged as the Player of the Match. 

"I knew if I stay till the end, I will capitalize. I knew the wicket was good to bat on. Badoni was telling me to show the intent," Rawat said after the match.

Badoni said: "With that bowling of ours, 193 was enough. We executed well. Anuj was batting well. I thought I could rotate the strike. I think the main concern is the injuries of the pacers. Hoping they will recover in time."

Delhi will play Madhya Pradesh in the second semi-final at the same venue on December 13 while UP have been knocked out.