LSG’s Digvesh Singh Fined for Notebook Send-Off to PBKS Batter”

LSG Bowler Digvesh Singh Fined for Notebooks Send-Off Gesture

In a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash involving LSG and PBKS at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, LSG spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi resorted to acts of indiscipline by placing an uncalled-for send-off on Priyansh Arya of the Punjab Kings. This was during the Punjab Kings’ chase for the 172 runs target. Rathi pitched a delivery short and wide in the third over and Arya attempted a pull shot with the ball resulting in a top-edge that was caught with ease by Shardul Thakur at mid-on. Rathi made an approach to Arya after the latter’s dismissal, pretending to write in an imaginary notebook, a tribute to the “notebook” celebration made famous by West Indies bowler, Kesrick Williams.

As soon as Rathi finished his send-off, the on-field umpires intervened and warned him regarding his behaviour. After the match, the IPL governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, had found Rathi guilty of breaching the IPL code of conduct. As a consequence, he was fined 25% of his match fee and . He accepted one demerit point against his name. Rathi admitted the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 and accepted the match referee’s sanction which is final and binding in respect of such breach.

The incident was roundly condemned within cricketing circles. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar stated on commentary that incidents like this were celebrating things that did not need to be celebrated, as batters did not celebrate boundaries with such behaviour. This sentiment was echoed by another former cricketer, Mohammad Kaif, who condemned the act and questioned Rathi’s reasoning behind it.

Rathi’s imitation of the “notebook” is actually an old-fashioned insult in international cricket. Kesrick Williams made full use of this during the T20I series against India in 2017. After some banter exchanged by Virat Kohli and Williams, the Indian captain imitated the notebook gesture after hitting Williams for a six in their next encounter in the 2019 IPL, chagrining Williams but in a light-hearted way.

PBKS gave a comprehensive eight-wicket bashing to LSG throughout the match. An aggressive innings by Prabhsimran Singh, with 69 combined with an unbeaten 52 from skipper Shreyas Iyer, saw PBKS chase down the target in 16.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh’s early breakthroughs had earlier restricted LSG to 171 for 7.

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This incident shall always remind us of the values that are supposed to exist in sportsmanship concerning cricket. A celebration is a paramount aspect of the game, but it should be celebrated with due respect and decorum. Therefore, such incidents being tackled by BCCI swiftly speak volumes for the Board’s respect for the integrity of the game and dignity of the sport.

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