LSG vs PBKS, IPL 2025: BCCI Penalise Lucknow Super Giants’ Digvesh Singh Rathi For Priyansh Arya Send Off

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Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi has paid the price for sending off of Punjab Kings opener Priyansh Arya during match 13 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday (April 1).

The LSG spinner was fined 25 per cent of his match fees and handed a demerit point for his unusual 'letter-writing' celebration after dismissing PBKS batter Priyansh Arya. The Board of Control for Cricket in India penalised Rathi for "breaching the IPL Code of Conduct".

"Digvesh Singh admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 and accepted the Match Referee's sanction," an IPL media advisory stated. "For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding."

The controversial celebration happened in the third over during PBKS' chase of 172. In the penultimate delivery of the over, Digvesh bowled a short and wide delivery, which Arya attempted to pull without much foot movement, only to top-edge the ball.

Shardul Thakur sprinted from mid-on and completed a running catch. As Arya walked back to the pavilion after scoring eight off nine balls, Digvesh, his teammate from the Delhi T20 League, mimicked writing a letter - an act seemingly directed at Arya.

The umpires took note of the gesture and had a word with the bowler after he completed his celebration, which drew immediate comparisons to West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams, who popularised the 'notebook' celebration after dismissing opponents, including a famous spat against Virat Kohli during a 2019 bilateral series.

Former cricketers on commentary, including legend Sunil Gavaskar, were not too happy with Digvesh's antics. Last season, Kolkata Knight Riders' Harshit Rana also was penalised for his reactions after a wicket, but the pacer was punished severely for his repeated offences.

Coming back to LSG vs PBKS match, Digvesh was the pick of the Luckow bowlers with figures of 2/30 runs in his four overs. However, the rest of the LSG bowling attack failed to make an impact as PBKS chased down the 173-run target in just 16.2 overs.