Explained: Why LSG is at the bottom of fairplay points table in IPL 2025 ft. Digvesh Rathi's notebook send-off

Ishika Dadhwal

•
Explained: Why LSG is at the bottom of fairplay points table in IPL 2025 ft. Digvesh Rathi's notebook send-off image

[BCCI/Sportzpics]

Lucknow Super Giants are currently at the IPL 2025 fairplay points table bottom, and a incident with debutant Digvesh Rathi could have had a role to play in that.  

SIGN UP & BET on the upcoming IPL to win WELCOME BONUS of INR 20,000

In their latest showdown with Punjab Kings at the Ekana Stadium, Rathi’s over-the-top celebration for getting rid of Priyansh Arya has been noted — and not just by the commentators, but also by the match officials.

CRICKET CASHBACK: Click here to earn 10% cashback up to INR 20,000 weekly when you bet with Dafabet

Though the 25-year-old spinner's work with the ball was one of the silver linings in LSG's eight-wicket loss, his behavior has put into question the team's on-field discipline this season.

Digvesh Rathi’s celebration leads to official sanction

Debuting in the third over, Rathi had the wicket of Arya with a nice change of pace after being hit for a first-ball boundary. The Delhimates had clashed before, but on this occasion Rathi had the last laugh — making a 'letter-writing' gesture as Arya trudged back for 8 from 9 deliveries. 

More: IPL 2025: Full team lists and squads for every Indian Premier League franchise

The celebratory gesture, a reference to West Indies fast bowler Kesrick Williams' legendary 'notebook' dismissal, did not find favour with the umpires.

FOLLOW: Like our content? Click here to join The Sporting News WhatsApp channel

Rathi was subsequently fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct under Article 2.5 — for unsportsmanlike conduct of a send-off. The BCCI stated he accepted the Level 1 offense and the sanction. LSG's fairplay overall score suffered due to the incident.

ssssssssssssssssssssss

In spite of Rathi taking 2 for 30 in his four overs, Punjab overran the target of 173 runs in a mere 16.2 overs. The issue of indiscipline, combined with the frustration on the field of the team, has brought LSG to the lowest rung of the fairplay rankings — a category that emphasizes respect towards opponents, umpires, and the game.

FANTASY: Click here to play IPL Daily Fantasy with Dafa News and win big prizes

Ishika Dadhwal

Ishika Dadhwal is a writer and editor with over four years of experience covering the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Cricket and Soccer. She’s currently an editor at The Sporting News and previously worked in an editorial capacity at Reach PLC, with additional stints at Sportskeeda and EssentiallySports. Her bylines have appeared in The Mirror and Pro Football Network. A passionate Patrick Mahomes fan, Ishika brings the same love for bold plays and sharp execution to her editorial work. Outside the newsroom, she loves dancing, painting, and turning everyday moments into little vlogs.