After Lucknow Super Giants' Digesh Rathi was fined for his controversial celebration, the BCCI has instructed the IPL umpires to take a soft stance on the players' celebrations. Digvesh has performed brilliantly this season with 9 wickets.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed the umpires of the Indian Premier League to take a slightly softer approach in terms of celebrating players. According to a report, the BCCI gave these instructions during the weekly review meeting of IPL umpires last week. The directive comes amid criticism following the fine imposed on Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digesh Rathi, who has been penalised twice this season for his notebook celebrations. Digvesh is playing his first IPL season and has been impressing everyone with 9 wickets in seven matches.
According to a report, umpires have been asked to take a soft approach in the matter of celebrating the players. These instructions have been given to the umpires because this season, Lucknow Super Giant's Digvesh Rathi was punished twice for his notebook celebration. Apart from his lethal spell, Digvesh is also in the limelight due to his controversial celebrations after taking wickets.
Digvesh first made his notebook celebration during the match against Punjab Kings. He signed on his hand after dismissing Priyansh Arya. During the match against Mumbai Indians, he won the Player of the Match award. In that match, he celebrated like this after taking the wicket of Naman Dhir. On both occasions, Digvesh was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL's Level 1 Code of Conduct.
The BCCI said in a statement issued that "This was his second Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 this season and therefore, he has earned two demerit points, in addition to one demerit point he earned during LSG's match against Punjab Kings on April 01, 2025."
On Saturday, Digesh Rathi will once again be in action when Lucknow Super Giants take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Lucknow have so far won 4 out of seven matches and are in fifth place in the points table with eight points, while Rajasthan Royals are in eighth place.