Rishabh Pant and Digvesh Rathi Fined After LSG vs MI Match
In an interesting turn of events after Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), two of their key players have landed in trouble with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Captain Rishabh Pant and young spinner Digvesh Rathi have both been fined for breaking IPL rules.
The match was played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, where LSG defeated MI in a closely contested game. However, celebrations were cut short as the IPL released a statement announcing fines on both players.
Rishabh Pant Fined ₹12 Lakh for Slow Over Rate
Let’s start with Captain Rishabh Pant. He was fined ₹12 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate during the match. According to IPL rules, teams must complete their overs within a specific time frame. If they don’t, the captain is held responsible.
This was the first time this season that Pant’s team was found guilty of a slow over rate. That’s why he received a fine under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with over-rate violations.
If this happens again in future matches, the penalty will become stricter, and even the team might face further consequences like point deductions or match bans.
Digvesh Rathi Fined 50% of His Match Fee
Young spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi, who is gaining attention for his bowling in IPL 2025, also faced a penalty. He was fined 50 percent of his match fee after violating the IPL’s Code of Conduct.
What did he do wrong?
Digvesh was fined for his celebration after taking a wicket. He dismissed Mumbai Indians’ batter Naman Dheer and then made an indecent gesture as part of his celebration. This is considered unsportsmanlike behavior under IPL rules.
This was not the first time he acted this way. In a previous match against Punjab Kings on April 1, 2025, he had already received one demerit point for a similar celebration known as the “notebook celebration”.
Because this was his second offence, he received a 50% fine and two more demerit points. Under the rules of Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct, repeated unsporting behavior like this leads to stricter punishment.
Why This Matters?
Fines and penalties are not just about money—they also affect a player’s image and may even lead to suspension from future matches if the behavior continues. In Digvesh’s case, if he collects too many demerit points, he could be banned for one or more matches, which would be a big setback for both him and his team.
For Rishabh Pant, while a slow over rate fine might not seem serious now, repeated offences could result in larger fines and even match bans, which would hurt LSG’s chances in the tournament.
Fans React to Digvesh’s Celebration
Digvesh’s unique “notebook” celebration, where he pretends to write something in an imaginary notebook after taking a wicket, had gone viral earlier. Some fans found it entertaining, while others, including cricket experts, called it disrespectful.
The celebration against Mumbai Indians was more than just a repeat—it reportedly included additional gestures that the match officials and BCCI found inappropriate. As a result, BCCI had to take action to send a message to all players about maintaining discipline on the field.
LSG's Stand on the Issue
The Lucknow Super Giants management has not made any public comment yet, but sources say the team is expected to speak to Digvesh about maintaining professionalism and not repeating such behavior. With LSG still in the race for the playoffs, they don’t want any controversy to distract the team.
As for Rishabh Pant, he is a senior player and is expected to ensure that the team follows all match rules, including maintaining the over rate. It’s likely he’ll work with the bowling unit to avoid such issues in upcoming games.
What Happens Next?
Digvesh Rathi will now have three demerit points. If he reaches four points, he could face a one-match suspension.
Rishabh Pant will face stricter penalties if the team is again found guilty of a slow over rate.
The BCCI will continue monitoring player behavior closely, especially in high-stakes games.
Conclusion
While LSG celebrated their win over Mumbai Indians, the joy was short-lived for Rishabh Pant and Digvesh Rathi. The incident is a reminder that discipline is as important as performance in the IPL. Whether it’s a captain leading the team or a young player making his mark, all are expected to follow the code of conduct.
Fans will be watching closely to see how both players respond in the next few matches—not just with their performance, but also with their behavior on the field.