Lucknow Super Giants’ young spinner Digvesh Rathi has been suspended for one match by the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council after breaching the Code of Conduct for the third time this season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the decision following a heated on-field altercation between Rathi and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma during their recent clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
According to the official IPL release, Rathi was found guilty of a Level 1 offense under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct. This latest incident, involving aggressive on-field behavior and confrontation, resulted in the spinner receiving an additional two demerit points. Rathi had previously been penalized for over-the-top wicket celebrations in earlier matches against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, where he earned one and two demerit points respectively. Having now accumulated a total of five demerit points, the threshold for suspension, Rathi will be banned from participating in LSG’s next match against Gujarat Titans scheduled for May 22, 2025, in Ahmedabad. In addition to the suspension, he has been fined 50 percent of his match fee.
Tension on Field: Abhishek Sharma Also Penalized
The altercation between Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma during the high-stakes match caught widespread attention, as it required the intervention of umpires and fellow players to defuse the situation. While Rathi bore the brunt of the consequences due to his prior offenses, Sharma was not entirely let off the hook.
Abhishek Sharma, who plays as an all-rounder for Sunrisers Hyderabad, was fined 25 percent of his match fee for his role in the confrontation. As this was his first offense of the season, he was charged under Article 2.6 of the Code of Conduct and given one demerit point. The IPL reiterated that all Level 1 offenses are adjudicated by the Match Referee, and their decisions are final and binding.
With the tournament heating up and every game critical for playoff contention, the suspension of Digvesh Rathi comes at a crucial time for Lucknow Super Giants. The team will now have to re-strategize for their upcoming match without one of their key spinners. While disciplinary action is necessary to maintain the spirit of the game, the incident also serves as a reminder to players about the importance of sportsmanship and composure, especially in high-pressure environments. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, it remains to be seen how teams and players navigate the fine balance between passion and professionalism.
