'Senior Indian players do way worse': BCCI under fire for targeting Digvesh Rathi in IPL 2025

Digvesh Rathi burst out in notebook celebration after dismissing Priyansh Arya (IPL Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi has amazed many with his bowling in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Throughout this season, Digvesh has provided LSG with breakthroughs at pivotal moments. Digvesh was purchased in the mega auction for a meager Rs 30 lakh, but the team most likely lost more money as a result of his celebrations after he took wickets in the T20 league than they did for his services.

Rathi has been fined by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull believes the penalties are unjust. One of the analysts for the current IPL season, Doull, said he has witnessed seasoned Indian players perform far worse than Rathi. However, the LSG spinner received two reprimands while the conduct of other well-known players went unnoticed.

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"The team have got to be paying that (the fines). I don't like it. I love the celebrations, I don't think he has done anything at all wrong. I've seen senior Indian players do way worse, be in your face, and not get a fine. They are making an example out of a young man who is what, making a note in his notebook?" Doull said in a chat on Cricbuzz.

Rathi surprised many with his actions after dismissing Punjab Kings batsman Priyansh Arya. He walked up to Arya and gestured writing his name on a 'notebook' - which saw him get punished for breaching the code of conduct. However, it was later discovered that the celebration was merely a friendly banter between the two.

#DigveshRathi provides the breakthrough as #PriyanshArya heads back!
P.S: Don't miss the celebration at the end!Watch LIVE action of #LSGvPBKS https://t.co/GLxHRDQajv#IPLOnJiostar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! | #IndianPossibleLeague pic.twitter.com/TAhHDtXX8n Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 1, 2025

"Priyansh Arya (who Digvesh dismissed to bring out the celebration for the first time) is his very good friend. He did it on a friendly note, but since he is on the verge of suspension, I hope he doesn't repeat it," Shahbaz Ahmed, fellow LSG spinner, had said.

Instant impact! #DigveshRathi comes into the attack and gets the wicket of his idol, #SunilNarine! Watch the LIVE actionhttps://t.co/RsBcA7HaAO #IPLonJioStar #KKRvLSG | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/AkNVKFeQtw Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 8, 2025

When the Lucknow team played the Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL league match on Tuesday, Rathi's celebration was somewhat altered. With the intention of avoiding a sanction from the board this time, the spinner performed the signature celebration on the ground rather than in front of the player on his hand.