IPL 2025: Digvesh Rathi Adds New Page to Notebook Celebration
The Lucknow SuperGiants' spinner brings a creative twist to his signature move
The sizzling KKR vs LSG match yesterday witnessed an intriguing moment as Digvesh Rathi, the LSG leg-spinner, brought his unique notebook celebration. After dismissing his idol, Sunil Narine, with a googly, Rathi celebrated by signing on the grass instead of his usual gesture near the batsman.
This innovative twist comes after Rathi faced penalties earlier in the season for his controversial celebration, which was deemed intimidating by the BCCI. Despite accumulating demerit points and fines, Rathi's creativity and passion for the game continue to shine through.
Rathi first performed his notebook celebration after dismissing Priyansh Arya. This act led to a 25% deduction in his match fee and 1 demerit point. He repeated the celebration after dismissing Mumbai Indians' Naman Dhir, which resulted in a 50% deduction in his match fee and 2 demerit points.
These penalties have brought his total to three demerit points, putting him at risk of suspension if he accumulates one more. Despite the controversies, Rathi continues to be a valuable player for Lucknow SuperGiants, contributing significantly to their victories.
His celebration has also sparked discussions among fans and cricket experts. Initially, everyone criticised him for being impetuous and over the top, but now after he repeated it for the third time, many are appreciating his spirit. How this change in perception has come about is difficult to say.
Anyway, Rathi's performance was pivotal in LSG's victory, as his dismissal of Narine helped shift the momentum in his team's favour. The match also featured stellar performances from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh, who powered LSG to a formidable total of 238/3.
Rathi's journey has been marked by sheer grit and determination. He began his professional cricket career in 2017, steadily climbing the ranks through local leagues and domestic tournaments.
Before making his IPL debut, Rathi spent time as a net bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he gained valuable experience bowling to international stars. His breakthrough came in the Delhi Premier League 2024, where he showcased his skills as a dependable bowler, catching the attention of IPL scouts. LSG signed him for Rs 30 lakh, a decision that has proven to be a masterstroke. In IPL 2025, Rathi has claimed seven wickets in five matches, playing a crucial role in LSG's victories against teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders.
