Digvesh Rathi : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken disciplinary action against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi for his animated ‘Notebook’ celebration after dismissing Punjab Kings (PBKS) opener Priyansh Arya. Rathi was fined 25% of his match fees and handed a demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct in the match played at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.

Digvesh Rathi : BCCI Takes Action Against Digvesh Rathi for Controversial ‘Notebook’ Celebration in LSG vs PBKS Match

What Happened During the LSG vs PBKS Clash?

The incident occurred during the third over of PBKS’s innings when Digvesh Rathi bowled a short and wide delivery that Arya attempted to pull. However, he top-edged the ball, leading to an easy catch by Shardul Thakur at mid-on. As Arya walked back to the pavilion after scoring 8 runs off 9 balls, Rathi mimicked a writing gesture, a celebration reminiscent of West Indies bowler Kesrick Williams’ signature move.

Immediate Reactions & BCCI’s Decision

The on-field umpires noticed the gesture and had a discussion with Digvesh Rathi. Shortly after, the BCCI confirmed that Rathi had breached the IPL Code of Conduct (Article 2.5: Conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game). He admitted to the Level 1 offence and accepted the penalty imposed by the Match Referee, which is final and binding in such cases.

Cricket Experts’ Take on the Celebration

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary, criticized the celebration, stating:

“I can understand the celebration if the bowler dismisses a batter who had hit him for a boundary or six just before. But if a bowler celebrates in such a way after a regular wicket, it reflects a lack of confidence. It’s almost like he didn’t expect to get a wicket.”

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif also questioned the intent behind Rathi’s actions, emphasizing that cricket should be played with mutual respect.

Match Summary: PBKS Dominate LSG

Despite Rathi’s disciplined bowling spell of 2 wickets for 30 runs in 4 overs, LSG suffered a crushing 8-wicket defeat. PBKS comfortably chased down the 173-run target in just 16.2 overs, thanks to stunning performances from:

Prabhsimran Singh – 69 runs off 34 balls.
Shreyas Iyer (Captain) – 52* runs off 30 balls.

With this victory, PBKS climbed to second place in the IPL 2025 points table, sharing four points with RCB and DC after their consecutive wins.

While celebrations add excitement to the game, players must adhere to the spirit of cricket and respect opponents. Digvesh Rathi’s ‘Notebook’ celebration might have entertained some fans, but it ultimately landed him in trouble with the BCCI. With the IPL 2025 season heating up, teams and players will be expected to strike a balance between passion and professionalism on the field.

FAQs

Why was Digvesh Rathi fined by the BCCI?

Rathi was fined 25% of his match fees and received a demerit point for his ‘Notebook’ celebration, which violated the IPL Code of Conduct (Article 2.5).

What is the ‘Notebook’ celebration?

The ‘Notebook’ celebration involves a bowler mimicking writing in an imaginary notebook after taking a wicket. It was made famous by West Indies bowler Kesrick Williams.