Fiery celebrations and send-offs have been the norm in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, but Digvesh Singh Rathi of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has taken it to a whole new level in the 18th edition.
The LSG spinner was again amongst the headlines when he took the wicket of Abhishek Sharma in LSG's match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and followed it up with his trademark 'notebook' celebration.
The SRH opening batter, Sharma, didn't like the leg spinner's over-the-top celebration and had a heated altercation with him before getting the marching orders from the umpires.
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As a result, Rathi is facing a potential suspension in LSG's next game against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Sporting News takes a look at why the LSG spinner will be suspended for the match against GT.
READ MORE: Rathi’s ‘notebook’ celebration: Complete list of wickets in IPL 2025
Why Digvesh Rathi has been suspended for LSG vs GT IPL 2025 match?
According to the IPL Code of Conduct, an accumulation of four demerit points within a 36 month period, leads to a one-match suspension. Rathi has five to his name currently.
Let's take a look at all of his breaches this season.
1. First breach vs PBKS (1 Demerit)
Rathi performed his trademark celebration for the first time against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) when he dismissed Priyansh Arya. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) attributed it as a Level 1 offense under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct -- which is related to actions that could instigate aggressive reactions from another player.
Rathi was fined 25% of his match fees and had one demerit point under his name.
2. Second breach vs MI
Rathi again brought out his 'notebook' as he dismissed Naman Dhir of the Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 5. Due to a repeat of the first offense, the BCCI imposed a harsher penalty on him -- 50% of his match fees and two demerit points to his name, which took the tally to three.
3. Third breach vs SRH
The leg spinner now just seems to enjoy it, as he went a bit over the top with his fiery celebration as he dismissed the well-set Abhishek Sharma on 59.
Rathi signalled to Abhishek, ordering the batter to return back to the dugout before bringing out his 'notebook'. Sharma didn't like the spinner's antics and engaged in a verbal spat immediately.
MORE: IPL 2025: How much has Digvesh Rathi been fined in total so far?
The umpires had to intervene to stop the heated altercation before giving Sharma the marching orders.
Rathi was fined 50% of his match fees again for this incident along with two demerit points to his name, which takes the tally now to five.
As a result, Rathi will have to sit out the next game against the Gujarat Titans (GT) due to a one-match suspension.
Rathi has picked up 13 wickets this season and has been an important cog in the LSG setup. Although they have been eliminated from this year's competition, the leg spinner's unavailability will hurt LSG's chances of winning in the next match.