The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed a fine on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowler Digvesh Singh Rathi for a controversial send-off during an IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Rathi was penalized 25% of his match fees and received one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred on April 1, 2025, during LSG’s match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Rathi dismissed PBKS batter Priyansh Arya, who scored just 8 runs.
Following the dismissal, Rathi mimicked writing Arya’s name in an imaginary notebook—a celebration reminiscent of West Indies bowler Kesrick Williams’ signature move.
This act was deemed unsporting by the umpires and drew immediate attention.
BCCI’s Disciplinary Action
According to an IPL media advisory, Rathi admitted to committing a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction.
The advisory emphasized that decisions regarding Level 1 breaches are final and binding.
The specific moment of the incident occurred during the penultimate ball of the third over of PBKS’s innings, where Arya attempted a pull shot off a short delivery from Rathi but ended up top-edging the ball.
Shardul Thakur took a straightforward catch, leading to Arya’s dismissal.
Match Context
Despite Rathi’s wicket-taking performance, which included dismissing both Arya and half-centurion Prabhsimran Singh (who scored 69 off 34 balls), LSG lost the match by eight wickets.
PBKS successfully chased down LSG’s total of 171 runs in just 16.2 overs, with significant contributions from captain Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera as well.
Reactions and Implications
Rathi’s animated send-off has sparked discussions about sportsmanship within the league.
The incident highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding player conduct in high-pressure situations like the IPL.
As LSG continues its campaign in IPL 2025, this disciplinary action serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to cricketing ethics and regulations.
This fine marks another chapter in what has been an eventful season for LSG, who are currently positioned sixth in the points table after three matches, having faced two defeats thus far.
