During the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 19, a heated on-field altercation broke out between SRH opener Abhishek Sharma and LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi. The incident occurred at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow during the eighth over of SRH’s chase of a 206-run target.
Sequence of Events
- Abhishek Sharma was in explosive form, scoring 59 runs off just 20 balls, giving SRH a rapid start despite the absence of Travis Head.
- Digvesh Rathi, who has developed a reputation for his distinctive “notebook celebration” after taking wickets, managed to dismiss Abhishek, who was caught in the deep by Shardul Thakur.
- Immediately after the wicket, Rathi performed his trademark notebook celebration and, according to multiple reports, added an aggressive send-off gesture directed at Abhishek.
- Abhishek Sharma was visibly angered by the celebration and exchanged heated words with Rathi as he walked off the field. The confrontation escalated, prompting intervention from the on-field umpire and LSG captain Rishabh Pant to diffuse the situation.
- Replays and eyewitness accounts indicate that Rathi’s celebratory gesture and subsequent send-off were perceived as provocative, leading to Abhishek’s strong reaction.
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Aftermath and Reactions
- The altercation drew immediate attention, with commentators, players, and viewers debating the appropriateness of Rathi’s celebration, especially since he had previously been fined by the BCCI for similar gestures earlier in the season.
- After the match, both players reportedly had a conversation and shook hands, signaling a resolution to the immediate conflict. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was also seen speaking with the duo post-match.
- The IPL governing council is reportedly considering further sanctions, particularly for Rathi, who has already faced disciplinary action for his celebrations in the past.
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Context of the Celebration
- Digvesh Rathi’s “notebook celebration” involves mimicking the act of writing in a notebook after taking a wicket. While it has become his signature move, it has also been criticized for being unsportsmanlike and provocative, especially when directed at dismissed batters.
- The celebration has previously resulted in fines and demerit points for Rathi, indicating that the league authorities view it as potentially crossing the line of acceptable on-field conduct.
Lit Abhishek Sharma 🗿🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/zyBhiQxByJ
— Antara (@AntaraonX) May 19, 2025
Conclusion
The controversy between Abhishek Sharma and Digvesh Rathi in IPL 2025 stemmed from Rathi’s provocative celebration after dismissing Abhishek, leading to a heated exchange on the field. The incident highlights ongoing debates about sportsmanship and the boundaries of on-field celebrations in high-stakes cricket.
