Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi is in danger of an impending suspension for the second consecutive time following yet another on-pitch celebration causing controversy. Renowned for his “notebook celebration,” Rathi again exceeded the limits of the IPL Code of Conduct when LSG met Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an electrifying showdown at Eden Gardens.
While Rathi did not physically engage with Sunil Narine, his post-dismissal action of simulating signing his name on the floor can still get him into trouble. Already carrying three demerit points against his name, Tuesday’s action has taken him to the threshold of a suspension level of four demerit points, leaving him one misstep away from a one-match ban.
Digvesh Rathi’s Celebration Under the Scanner Again
In the high-scoring game, KKR were pursuing a challenging total of 239. Narine and captain Ajinkya Rahane continued the momentum after Quinton de Kock’s dismissal. As LSG pacers were struggling to keep the runs in check, captain Rishabh Pant called upon his most reliable spinner—Digvesh Singh Rathi.
Rathi returned almost right away. Off his second ball, he got the ball moving late with a wide googly, which sucked Narine in to a wrongly timed shot to catch him out long-off. In place of subdued celebrations, however, Rathi dramatically faked signing on the field—as done before only to incur discipline.
History of Rathi’s Notebook Celebration & Disciplinary Actions
This is not the first time Rathi’s unique celebration has landed him in hot water. Earlier in IPL 2025:
- He was fined 25% of his match fee and awarded 1 demerit point for celebrating in the same manner against Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya.
- A couple of games later, he repeated the offense against Mumbai Indians’ Naman Dhir, which earned him a 50% match fee deduction and 2 more demerit points.
The BCCI has yet again reprimanded him for violating Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which doesn’t allow celebration that can offend, provoke, or belittle dismissed batters. With the latest action taken against Narine, Rathi now has 4 demerit points—which automatically results in a one-match suspension.
Irony: Narine Inspired Rathi’s Spin Career
In a twist of fate, Sunil Narine is the same cricketer who had influenced Digvesh Rathi to become a spinner. However, it was Narine’s wicket that brought Rathi on the verge of suspension.
As the IPL 2025 season heats up, players are likely to be in high competitive spirits while still keeping the decorum of the sport intact. Whether or not Digvesh Rathi will be formally suspended is yet to be seen, but his recent celebration has certainly opened up questions regarding player behavior and celebratory limits in contemporary T20 cricket.
