Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi has been handed a one-match suspension and will miss the upcoming clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 22 in Ahmedabad. The suspension comes in the wake of a heated on-field altercation with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Abhishek Sharma during their IPL 2025 match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on May 19.
The incident took place in the second innings when Digvesh dismissed Abhishek and responded with his signature “book-signing” celebration. The gesture appeared to provoke the SRH opener, leading to a verbal exchange between the two players. Umpires and Digvesh’s teammates had to step in to diffuse the situation.
As a result, Digvesh received two additional demerit points and a 50% match-fee fine for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Having already been docked three demerit points earlier in the season—one against Punjab Kings on April 1 and two more versus Mumbai Indians on April 4—his tally has now reached five, triggering the automatic suspension. This marked his third Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code.
Abhishek fined for his actions
Abhishek was also penalised for his actions. He received his first demerit point along with a 25% deduction from his match fee. While this was a first offence for the left-handed opener, the IPL governing body made it clear that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
LSG, who have already been knocked out of the playoff race following their six-wicket loss to SRH—a match that featured a fiery knock from Abhishek—now face a dead rubber in their final group-stage game.