In a significant disciplinary decision during IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi has been suspended for one match and fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct for the third time this season. His mounting violations finally triggered automatic disciplinary action under IPL rules.

Rathi will now miss LSG’s clash against Gujarat Titans on May 22, 2025, to be held in Ahmedabad. The suspension was enforced following his aggressive conduct in a recent game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The match, held at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, saw Rathi celebrating Abhishek Sharma’s wicket with his well-known “notebook celebration,” a gesture that has already landed him in trouble earlier in the season. His animated send-off led to a confrontation on the field, requiring umpires and players to step in and cool tempers.

Rathi Hits 5 Demerit Points

The BCCI revealed that Rathi had now accumulated five demerit points, one from an April 1 incident versus Punjab Kings, two more on April 4 against Mumbai Indians, and an additional two from the clash with SRH. According to IPL’s disciplinary guidelines, reaching five points results in a mandatory one-game suspension.

Despite the controversy, Abhishek Sharma, who struck a quickfire 59 off 20 balls, was named Player of the Match. However, the aftermath of his dismissal turned sour as his response to Rathi’s celebration escalated into a verbal clash. BCCI held both players accountable, with Sharma also fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for his first offence under Article 2.6 of the code.

What added weight to the action taken against Rathi was the fact that he had already been warned. The BCCI had initially shown flexibility regarding such celebrations earlier in the season, but Rathi’s persistent defiance, especially repeating the notebook gesture after prior infractions, forced their hand. His behaviour after dismissing Sharma was seen as crossing the line from celebration into provocation.

Sharma Clarifies the Situation is Normal

In a gesture of sportsmanship after the match, Sharma clarified that the situation had been de-escalated. “We had a chat after the game and everything has been sorted,” he told the media.

This incident has reignited the debate around on-field conduct and discipline in the Indian Premier League. With matches growing more competitive and emotions running high, both franchises and the IPL authorities are expected to place a renewed emphasis on professionalism and control.