Digvesh Rathi: A Season of Brilliance and Controversy
On May 19, 2025, Ekana Stadium in Lucknow was electric as Digvesh Rathi IPL 2025, the 25-year-old mystery spinner for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), dismissed Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Abhishek Sharma with a now-infamous notebook celebration, igniting a fiery on-field altercation. The clash, cost Digvesh a 50% match fee fine and a one-match suspension, overshadowing his stellar debut season of 14 wickets at an economy of 8.05.
LSG’s playoff dreams crumbled as SRH chased 206/4 in 18.2 overs, ending with 205/7. Owner Sanjiv Goenka’s cryptic response hinted at a team overhaul. This article dives deep into Digvesh Singh Rathi’s performances, his controversial celebrations, the dramatic LSG vs SRH clash, and the team’s inconsistent campaign, blending cricket analysis with storytelling for fans and experts.
Who Is Digvesh Singh Rathi? The Rising Star
Digvesh Singh Rathi, a Delhi-born spinner, burst onto the IPL scene in 2025 with Lucknow Super Giants, drawing comparisons to his idol, Sunil Narine. At 25, Digvesh’s mystery spin—googlies, carrom balls, and sliders—confounded batters. His journey from Delhi’s domestic circuit to IPL stardom showcased his grit, taking 14 wickets in 12 matches, per ESPNcricinfo. Digvesh’s flair, both in bowling and his provocative notebook celebration, made him a fan favorite, though his disciplinary issues sparked debates. His raw talent and bold personality signal a bright future, if he can tame his on-field antics.
Digvesh Rathi IPL 2025 Performance: A Breakthrough Season
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s debut IPL season was a masterclass, claiming 14 wickets in 12 matches with an economy of 8.05, leading uncapped spinners. Digvesh shone in clutch moments, with standout spells like 2/30 vs SRH (Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan), 2/25 vs Mumbai Indians (MI), and 3/22 vs Punjab Kings (PBKS). His versatility across powerplay, middle, and death overs made him LSG’s linchpin. Below are his top performances:
| Match | Figures | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSG vs SRH | 2/30 | Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan | Lucknow |
| LSG vs MI | 2/25 | Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma | Lucknow |
| LSG vs PBKS | 3/22 | Priyansh Arya, Jitesh Sharma | Mohali |
| LSG vs CSK | 2/27 | Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube | Chennai |
| LSG vs RCB | 1/29 | Virat Kohli | Bengaluru |
Digvesh’s ability to outfox top batters like Kohli and Gaikwad cemented his reputation as a game-changer.
The Notebook Celebration: Digvesh’s Fiery Signature
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s “notebook celebration,” inspired by Kesrick Williams, became his calling card. After each wicket, Digvesh mimicked writing the batter’s name in an imaginary notebook, a gesture he described as “self-motivation, not disrespect,” per his brother Sunny’s Indian Express interview. The celebration electrified crowds but irked opponents, leading to multiple fines. Fans on X lauded Digvesh’s swagger, with posts like, “Rathi’s notebook is the IPL’s best drama!” (@cricbuzz). However, critics, including Harsha Bhogle, called it unsportsmanlike, fueling debates about on-field conduct.
Digvesh Rathi Fine and Demerit Points: Digvesh Singh Rathi’s Disciplinary Struggles
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s fiery persona led to three Level 1 offenses under IPL’s Code of Conduct. His fines included 25% of his match fee vs PBKS (April 1) for the notebook celebration, 50% vs MI (April 4) for a repeat offense, and 50% vs SRH (May 19) for his clash with Abhishek Sharma, totaling five demerit points and a one-match ban. Below are his violations:
| Match | Fine | Demerit Points | Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs PBKS | 25% | 1 | Notebook celebration |
| vs MI | 50% | 2 | Notebook celebration |
| vs SRH | 50% | 2 | Clash with Abhishek Sharma |
Digvesh’s suspension for LSG’s next match vs Gujarat Titans stung, but he vowed to learn.
Digvesh Rathi vs Abhishek Sharma: The Explosive LSG vs SRH Clash
The LSG vs SRH match on May 19, 2025, was a turning point for Digvesh Singh Rathi. After dismissing Abhishek Sharma (59 off 20, 6 sixes) with a skidding googly, caught by Shardul Thakur, Digvesh unleashed his notebook celebration and a pointed send-off, shouting, “Write that down!” . Abhishek, furious, responded with, “Teri choti pakad ke marunga,” escalating the tension. Umpires Anil Chaudhary and Chris Gaffaney intervened, and the BCCI fined Digvesh 50% and Abhishek 25%. Post-match, BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla mediated a handshake, but the incident trended on X, with #RathiVsAbhishek garnering 50,000 posts. Digvesh later apologized, saying, “I got carried away,”.
LSG vs SRH 2025 Match Breakdown: Playoff Hopes Crushed
LSG posted 205/7, driven by Mitchell Marsh’s 65, Aiden Markram’s 61, and Nicholas Pooran’s 45 off 26. Digvesh Singh Rathi’s 2/30, dismissing Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, gave LSG hope. However, SRH’s 206/4 in 18.2 overs, led by Abhishek’s blistering 59 and Heinrich Klaasen’s 47, was unstoppable. Ravi Bishnoi’s nightmare spell—conceding four sixes to Abhishek—sealed LSG’s fate. Nitish Reddy (28*) and Aniket Verma (15*) finished with 10 balls to spare, ending LSG’s playoff run.
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s Role in LSG’s Bowling Attack
Digvesh Singh Rathi was LSG’s bowling spearhead, completing his four-over quota in all 12 matches. His mix of googlies, sliders, and carrom balls outshone Ravi Bishnoi, whose 9.2 economy paled against Digvesh’s 8.05. Key moments included his 3/22 vs PBKS, dismissing Priyansh Arya and Jitesh Sharma, and 2/27 vs CSK, removing Ruturaj Gaikwad. Digvesh’s death-over control, especially against aggressive batters like Klaasen, made him indispensable, despite LSG’s overall bowling frailties.
Abhishek Sharma IPL 2025 Explosive Counterattack
Abhishek Sharma’s 373 runs at a 192.26 strike rate were SRH’s heartbeat. His 59 off 20 vs LSG, smashing four consecutive sixes off Bishnoi, was a T20 masterclass. Digvesh Singh Rathi ended his onslaught, but not before Abhishek’s aggression shifted momentum. His fiery response to Digvesh’s celebration, followed by a 25% fine, highlighted his competitive edge. Abhishek’s knocks, including 72 vs RCB, cemented his status as SRH’s X-factor.
LSG’s 2025 Campaign: A Rollercoaster of Inconsistency
Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 ended with 5 wins, 7 losses, and a -0.469 NRR, finishing seventh. Injuries to Mayank Yadav and Rishabh Pant’s lean form (7 vs SRH, 22 vs MI) hurt. Middle-order collapses from Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni, plus Bishnoi’s costly spells, derailed LSG. Digvesh Singh Rathi’s 14 wickets were a silver lining, but lack of support led to their elimination. Key losses included a 12-run defeat to CSK and a 20-run collapse vs RCB.
Sanjiv Goenka: LSG Owner’s Frustration
Sanjiv Goenka, LSG’s owner and RPSG Group chairman, was crestfallen after the SRH loss. His cryptic X post with Rishabh Pant, captioned “Time for change,” hinted at a 2026 squad shake-up. Goenka’s post-match chat with Abhishek Sharma, praising his knock, showed his engagement. Fans criticized Goenka’s public reactions, recalling his 2024 outburst with KL Rahul, but his resolve to rebuild was clear.
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s Early Season Exploits
Digvesh Singh Rathi hit the ground running in IPL 2025. Against PBKS, his 3/22 dismissed Priyansh Arya and Jitesh Sharma, earning praise from Ian Bishop. His Player of the Match 2/25 vs MI, castling Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma, showcased his guile. Digvesh’s 1/29 vs RCB, dismissing Virat Kohli, further highlighted his knack for big wickets, setting the tone for his breakout campaign.
Controversial Celebrations: Digvesh’s Pattern of Provocation
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s notebook celebration, while a crowd-pleaser, repeatedly crossed lines. Fines vs PBKS and MI stemmed from the gesture, deemed provocative under Article 2.5. Sunny Rathi defended him: “Digvesh is passionate, not malicious,”. The SRH clash, where Digvesh taunted Abhishek, was the final straw, leading to a suspension. X users dubbed it “Rathi’s notebook saga,” with 30,000 posts debating his antics.
The Role of BCCI and Rajeev Shukla
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stepped in after the Digvesh-Abhishek clash, facilitating a post-match reconciliation. The BCCI’s strict enforcement saw Digvesh suspended for five demerit points, while Abhishek faced a 25% fine. Umpires’ quick action prevented further escalation, reinforcing BCCI’s zero-tolerance policy. Shukla’s mediation, praised on X, ensured the focus returned to cricket.
LSG’s Squad: Strengths and Struggles
LSG’s 2025 squad—Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant—had star power but faltered. Middle-order failures from Samad and Badoni, plus Mayank Yadav’s injury, exposed cracks. Digvesh Singh Rathi’s 14 wickets were a highlight, but Bishnoi’s 9.2 economy and Pant’s inconsistency (178 runs, 12 matches) hurt. LSG needed a stronger finisher and pace support to back Digvesh’s spin.
SRH’s Clinical Chase
SRH’s 206/4 chase was a T20 clinic, led by Abhishek’s 59, Ishan Kishan’s 35, and Klaasen’s 47. Despite Kamindu Mendis’s injury, Nitish Reddy (28*) and Aniket Verma (15*) sealed victory with 10 balls left. Digvesh Singh Rathi’s 2/30 was LSG’s best effort, but Bishnoi’s 4-six over to Abhishek swung the game. SRH’s depth outclassed LSG.
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s Future: A Star in the Making?
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s 14 wickets signal a bright future, but discipline is critical. His mystery spin could earn an India T20 call-up if he emulates Narine’s professionalism. Avoiding provocations like the SRH clash will be key for IPL 2026. LSG should retain Digvesh, whose potential to dominate is undeniable, provided he channels his passion constructively.
LSG’s Path Forward: Rebuilding for 2026
LSG’s 2025 flop demands bold moves. Retain Digvesh Singh Rathi, Marsh, and Pooran for their consistency, but release Samad and Badoni. At the auction, target all-rounders like Venkatesh Iyer and spinners to complement Digvesh. Goenka’s investment in pace—perhaps Arshdeep Singh—could revive LSG’s fortunes.
- Retain: Digvesh Singh Rathi, Marsh, Pooran.
- Release: Samad, Badoni.
- Auction: All-rounders, spinners, pacers.
Conclusion: Digvesh Singh Rathi’s Rise Amid Chaos
Digvesh Singh Rathi’s IPL 2025 was a tale of brilliance and controversy. His 14 wickets, including 2/30 vs SRH, marked him as LSG’s star. Yet, his notebook celebrations and clash with Abhishek Sharma, costing fines and a ban, stole headlines. LSG’s playoff exit (206/4 vs SRH) exposed their frailties, with Goenka eyeing a rebuild. Can Digvesh tame his fire to become a T20 legend? Join the conversation below and follow IPL 2026 for his journey! #IPL2025 #DigveshRathi
FAQs
What was Digvesh Singh Rathi’s IPL 2025 performance?
Digvesh Singh Rathi took 14 wickets in 12 matches for LSG, with an economy of 8.05. His best spells included 3/22 vs PBKS and 2/30 vs SRH, showcasing his ability to dismiss stars like Kohli and Gaikwad.
Why was Digvesh Singh Rathi fined in IPL 2025?
Digvesh faced fines for notebook celebrations (25% vs PBKS, 50% vs MI) and a clash with Abhishek Sharma (50% vs SRH), totaling five demerit points and a suspension.
What happened in Digvesh Singh Rathi vs Abhishek Sharma clash?
On May 19, 2025, Digvesh dismissed Abhishek (59 off 20) and taunted him with a notebook celebration, sparking a verbal spat. Both were fined, with Digvesh suspended after five demerit points.
Why was Digvesh Singh Rathi suspended in IPL 2025?
Digvesh’s third Level 1 offense (Article 2.5) vs SRH, for taunting Abhishek, added two demerit points, totaling five, leading to a one-match ban.
How did LSG perform in IPL 2025?
LSG won 5, lost 7, finishing seventh with a -0.469 NRR. Injuries to Mayank Yadav and Pant’s poor form led to their playoff exit vs SRH.
Who is LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka?
Sanjiv Goenka, RPSG Group chairman, owns LSG. His cryptic post with Pant after the SRH loss hinted at a 2026 rebuild.
What is Digvesh Singh Rathi’s notebook celebration?
Digvesh’s notebook gesture, inspired by Kesrick Williams, celebrates wickets but drew fines for provocation, notably vs Abhishek Sharma.
Can Digvesh Singh Rathi shine in IPL 2026?
Digvesh’s 14 wickets show his potential. With discipline, his mystery spin could make him a T20 star for LSG and India.
