Fierce competitors are fueled by adrenaline and ego, never the rulebook. Digvesh Rathi has taught the authorities that lesson to good effect in IPL 2025 with his trademark celebration garnering support despite fines, and the LSG spinner did not shy from continuing to taunt all his critics.
Gujarat Titans’ unproven middle-order came to haunt them in the away encounter against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Saturday as the team failed to surpass 200 despite a massive 120-run opening stand. The downfall began in the 13th over when Avesh Khan sent Shubman Gill packing courtesy of a remarkable catch at the boundary from Aiden markram, before Ravi Bishnoi accounted for both Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar in the same over. However, with the pair of Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford at the crease, danger still loomed large, until Digvesh Rathi dispatched the former in the 17th over to bring up one of the most hotly-anticipated moments in the contest.
Digvesh had first turned eyeballs when he claimed three wickets in his first two IPL games but truly came to the limelight against Punjab Kings, where after dismissing Priyansh Arya he brought out the infamous ‘check list’ celebration, featuring him pretending to write down the batter’s name on his palm and striking it off with aplomb. The act brought him a demerit point and a 25% match fine, both of which were doubled when he repeated the antics after dispatching Naman Dhir in the following game against Mumbai Indians. Thus forced to take cognizance of his celebration, Digvesh decided to dilute the intensity a bit by swapping his palm for the grass instead when he scalped Sunil Narine in the encountet against Kolkata Knight Riders, and thereby left fans waiting of what awaited next in this cat and mouse game between the spinner and the authorities.
As it turned out, the BCCI did not levy a fine in the previous game, which only spurred Digvesh to repeat the celebration when he took the crucial wocket of Buttler, albeit this time the pitch taking the brunt of the Delhite’s fingers. Twitterati could not be more thrilled.
again!
Unique!
🥶 DIGVESH RATHI and the ICE-COLD CELEBRATION! 🥶
Swagger. Style. Statement. 💥
This celebration hits different! 😎🔥 #DigveshRathi pic.twitter.com/RG2poU6Ciu— Rio (@CricRio6) April 12, 2025
Never Change Digvesh Rathi🔥 #LSGvsGT pic.twitter.com/ENvM2OcqOZ
— Ａｄｉｔｉ🏵️🌼 (@GlamAditi_X) April 12, 2025
Nice one!
Just came here to inform that Digvesh signed an autograph again !! 😂😂 #LSGvsGT
— Karthik Chowdary A (@avin_46) April 12, 2025
Good spell!
Another exceptional spell from Digvesh! What a find he’s been.
— Z (@zhashank) April 12, 2025
Digvesh Rathi trademark celebration#LSGvsGT #IPL18
— Arpit Sahu (@arpitsahu_08) April 12, 2025
What a spell!
Big Wicket!
BIG WICKET!
Jos Buttler falls — caught off Digvesh Singh!
Much-needed breakthrough and Singh celebrates in style, down on the turf!#LSGvGT#UPIDown pic.twitter.com/kSmuUmnTGy— Alexander. (@_TheNotGreat08) April 12, 2025
Digvesh Rathi celebrations after taking wickets #digveshrathi #LSGvGT #LordThakur pic.twitter.com/YyQhimowdU
— Faruk (@uf2151593) April 12, 2025
Buttler gone!
