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The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a victory against the Mumbai Indians in a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match, but the triumph was overshadowed by the financial penalties imposed on two of their players. While captain Rishabh Pant faced a fine for a slow over-rate, it was the fine levied against breakout spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi that garnered significant attention and sparked widespread debate. The core of the controversy lies in Rathi's on-field behavior, specifically his adoption of the 'notebook' celebration, a gesture popularized by West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams. This celebration, involving an imaginary jotting down of the dismissed batter's name in an invisible diary, has landed Rathi in trouble with match officials and drawn criticism from opposition fans who perceive it as a violation of the sport's spirit. Initial reports circulating on social media suggested that Rathi was facing a staggering fine of Rs 50 lakh, an amount exceeding his entire IPL salary of Rs 30 lakh. However, the actual amount is considerably lower, though still substantial. The fine stems from two separate incidents where Rathi employed the notebook celebration after dismissing batsmen. The first instance occurred during a match against Punjab Kings, where he mocked Priyansh Arya, resulting in a fine of 25 percent of his match fee, which amounted to Rs 1,87,500. The second incident took place during the game against Mumbai Indians, where he repeated the gesture on Naman Dhir, leading to a fine of 50 percent of his match fee, totaling Rs 3,75,000. Therefore, Digvesh Singh Rathi will ultimately have to pay Rs 5,62,500 in fines. This sum, while significantly less than the initially reported Rs 50 lakh, still represents the heftiest individual fine imposed in IPL 2025 so far. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an official statement outlining the reasons behind the fine. The statement clarified that Rathi's actions were deemed as Level 1 breaches under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which pertains to aggressive send-offs that bring the game into disrepute. Furthermore, the statement noted that this was Rathi's second Level 1 offence, resulting in the accumulation of two demerit points, in addition to the one demerit point he received during the match against Punjab Kings. Despite the controversy surrounding his on-field conduct, Digvesh Singh Rathi has emerged as a promising talent for the Lucknow Super Giants. The Rs 30 lakh uncapped buy wasn't initially expected to command such attention, but his impressive performance, characterized by six wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 7.62, has solidified his position in the team. His teammate, senior India pacer Shardul Thakur, has praised Rathi's character and his ability to express himself on the field, stating that the team needs players like him. However, Thakur also cautioned that Rathi's exuberance could prove costly if he doesn't exercise restraint. One more misstep could result in a suspension, potentially jeopardizing his participation in future matches. The case of Digvesh Singh Rathi serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between expressing individuality and adhering to the established codes of conduct within the sport of cricket. While celebrating success is undoubtedly part of the game, the manner in which it is done can have significant consequences, both financially and professionally. The incident has also sparked debate about the appropriateness of the 'notebook' celebration itself, with some viewing it as harmless banter and others considering it to be disrespectful and unsportsmanlike. The future of Digvesh Singh Rathi in the IPL hinges on his ability to learn from this experience and channel his passion and energy in a manner that is both effective and respectful. The Lucknow Super Giants will undoubtedly be monitoring his behavior closely, as they recognize the value of his talent but also understand the importance of upholding the integrity of the game. The incident has also highlighted the role of social media in amplifying and distorting information. The initial reports of a Rs 50 lakh fine, which were widely circulated online, created unnecessary confusion and fueled public outrage. This underscores the importance of verifying information from reliable sources before accepting it as fact. In conclusion, the case of Digvesh Singh Rathi's fine for his 'notebook' celebration in the IPL is a complex issue with multiple layers. It involves questions of on-field conduct, the interpretation of rules, the impact of social media, and the delicate balance between expressing individuality and maintaining sportsmanship. While Rathi's talent is undeniable, he must learn to control his emotions and adhere to the established codes of conduct to avoid further penalties and ensure his continued success in the IPL. The Lucknow Super Giants, as well as the broader cricketing community, will be watching closely to see how he responds to this challenge.
Source: No, LSG’s Rs 30 lakh spinner won’t pay Rs 50 lakh fine — truth behind Digvesh Singh’s code breach