The fiery on-field spat between Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma during the IPL 2025 match between Lucknow Supergiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad has resulted in serious disciplinary action from the BCCI. The altercation, which stemmed from Rathi’s controversial "notebook celebration" after dismissing Abhishek, escalated into a full-blown verbal confrontation that forced umpire intervention, with even Rishabh Pant stepping in to calm the situation.
Following a detailed review, the BCCI has handed a one-match suspension to Digvesh Rathi, barring him from playing in the upcoming fixture against Gujarat. In addition, Rathi has been fined 50 percent of his match fee and handed 2 demerit points. This adds to his already existing 3 demerit points from previous incidents against Punjab and Mumbai, taking his total to 5 demerit points, pushing him closer to a longer suspension. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has also faced repercussions, with the BCCI imposing a 25 percent fine on his match fee for his role in the altercation.
Commenting on the incident and the team’s overall performance, Lucknow Supergiants captain Rishabh Pant said, “This season could have been better for us. We had a strong start, but key injuries hampered our progress.” Speaking about Digvesh Rathi, Pant added, “Digvesh delivered an impressive performance in his debut season, but consistency and improvement are crucial in cricket. He needs to focus on maintaining discipline and come back stronger next season.” With playoff positions tightening and tensions rising, the BCCI's stern response serves as a reminder that while passion is part of the game, professionalism and conduct remain non-negotiable.