LSG Spinner Digvesh Rathi Suspended by BCCI for IPL Code of Conduct Violations

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi has been sidelined for one match by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following a third breach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during the 2025 season. The suspension stems from a heated on-field altercation with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Abhishek Sharma during a match on Monday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Rathi, previously penalized twice for excessive celebrations after taking wickets, was involved in a tense exchange with Sharma that required intervention from umpires and teammates. The BCCI deemed Rathi guilty of a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5, resulting in a 50 percent match fee fine and two demerit points. With prior infractions one demerit point from a match against Punjab Kings on April 1, 2025, and two from a game against Mumbai Indians on April 4, 2025 Rathi’s total of five demerit points triggered an automatic one-match ban. He will miss LSG’s upcoming fixture against Gujarat Titans on May 22, 2025, in Ahmedabad.

Sharma, also penalized for his role in the incident, received a 25 percent match fee fine and one demerit point for a Level 1 offence under Article 2.6, marking his first violation this season. The IPL emphasized that decisions by the Match Referee for Level 1 breaches are final and binding.