Digvesh Rathi Banned As IPL Gets Fed Up Of His Antics After Abhishek Sharma Episode

Digvesh Rathi, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner, has finally been handed a ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council. The officials took serious note of his antics during his heated altercation with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma in Lucknow on May 19.

Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma got into a heated argument at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, turning the IPL 2025 match between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Lucknow Super Giants into a raging match. LSG's exit from the IPL 2025 playoffs was overshadowed by their battle.

Digvesh and Abhishek collide

It all began when Rathi dismissed Abhishek, who waved goodbye to the SRH opener and rejoiced with his signature "notebook" move. The two young bloods engaged in a violent exchange after Abhishek became enraged by the gesture.

The drama didn't stop there, though, as the on-field umpire had to step in and break up Rathi and Sharma. Abhishek had another altercation with Rathi during the post-match handshake, and he also addressed LSG coach Vijay Dahiya. Eventually, Dahiya split them up. Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the BCCI, later spoke to both players to defuse the situation.

Digvesh Rathi suspended for one match, fined 50% of his match fees

Digvesh Rathi violated the IPL Code of Conduct during Monday's (May 20) encounter between the Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Ekana Stadium, earning him a 50% fine and a one-match suspension.

The LSG spinner has now committed three Level 1 offenses this season, bringing his total to five demerit points, which entitles him to a one-match ban. Rathi will therefore be unable to play in LSG's upcoming match against the Gujarat Titans on May 22 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

Earlier this season, Digvesh Rathi had already received three demerit points for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct against the Punjab Kings and the Mumbai Indians.

“Digvesh Rathi has been fined 50 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during LSG’s match against SRH in Lucknow on Monday.

This was his third Level 1 offense under Article 2.5 this season, and hence, he has accumulated two demerit points, in addition to the three demerit points he had accumulated earlier—one demerit point against Punjab Kings on April 01, 2025, and two demerit points against Mumbai Indians on April 04, 2025."

"As he now has five demerit points this season, which result in a one-game suspension, Digvesh will now be suspended for LSG’s next game against Gujarat Titans,” the IPL statement read.

Abhishek Sharma was also fined for his outburst

Because of his involvement in the on-field controversy with Rathi, Abhishek Sharma has also been penalized 25% of his match money. Since this was his first infraction, he received one demerit point. For Level 1 violations, the match referee's ruling is definitive and enforceable under IPL regulations.

“Abhishek Sharma has been fined 25 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the LSG vs. SRH match in Lucknow. This was his first Level 1 offense under Article 2.6 this season, and hence, he has accumulated one demerit point,” the IPL statement read.

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