Digvesh Rathi Faces Suspension Following On-Field Altercation with Abhishek Sharma

In a recent IPL match, Lucknow Super Giants' spinner Digvesh Rathi was suspended for one game following a confrontation with Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma. Rathi's actions led to a total of five demerit points this season, resulting in his suspension for the upcoming match against Gujarat Titans. Meanwhile, Sharma was fined 25 percent of his match fees for his involvement in the incident. The situation escalated during the game but was eventually calmed by BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, who facilitated a conversation between the two players post-match. Discover the details of this heated exchange and its implications for both players.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2025, 11:37 IST

Digvesh Rathi Suspended for One Match, Abhishek Sharma Penalized

The Lucknow Super Giants' spinner, Digvesh Rathi, has recently attracted attention for his unique Notebook Celebration. However, during the latest match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he found himself in a heated exchange with Abhishek Sharma, resulting in a demerit point. This incident occurred at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, where Rathi violated the IPL Code of Conduct.

According to the IPL's statement, this marks Rathi's third Level 1 offense under Article 2.5 this season, leading to a total of five demerit points. Previously, he received one demerit point against Punjab Kings on April 1, 2025, and two points against Mumbai Indians on April 4, 2025. Consequently, Rathi will miss the upcoming match against Gujarat Titans on May 22, 2025, in Ahmedabad. The Match Referee's decision on Level 1 breaches is final.

In addition, Abhishek Sharma has been fined 25 percent of his match fees for his first offense this season, which also breached the IPL Code of Conduct.

Tense Exchange Between Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma

After being dismissed, Rathi celebrated with his signature notebook gesture, which did not sit well with Abhishek. The two players engaged in a tense standoff, prompting intervention from the on-field umpires. Rishabh Pant was also seen attempting to diffuse the situation. Following the match, the two continued their discussion, with Abhishek appearing visibly upset until their coach, Vijay Dahiya, stepped in to ease the tension.

BCCI Vice-President Intervenes to Ease Tensions

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla took action to calm the situation between Abhishek Sharma and Digvesh Rathi. In a post-match interview, Abhishek confirmed that they had spoken and resolved their differences.