No more notebooks! Digvesh Rathi signs the turf after Buttler wicket

NEW DELHI:

Lucknow Super Giants

spinner

Digvesh Rathi

has taken the

IPL 2025

spotlight by storm—not just with his performances, but with his now-famous “notebook celebration.” After taking a wicket, the left-arm spinner theatrically pretends to pull out an imaginary notebook and jot something down, as if recording his opponent’s name.
During the clash against Gujarat Titans at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, Rathi bagged the crucial wicket of Jos Buttler and debuted a new twist—this time, kneeling down to sign the grass, perhaps symbolising a respectful signature moment rather than a taunt.

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Rathi, who has publicly admired Sunil Narine and modelled aspects of his bowling on the West Indian star, has been under scrutiny for his celebrations. In a match against Punjab Kings, he repeated the notebook gesture after dismissing Priyansh Arya—an act deemed provocative by match officials. Though playful in intent, it was considered unsportsmanlike.

As a result, Rathi was fined 25% of his match fee (Rs 1,87,500 based on the standard Rs 7.5 lakh IPL fee) and handed one demerit point.

However, just four days later, he repeated the same celebration against Mumbai Indians’ Naman Dhir, drawing a stronger reaction from the IPL disciplinary committee.
Rathi was fined 50% of his match fee (Rs 3,75,000) and charged with a second Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct—bringing his total demerit points to three this season.
Altogether, Rathi has now been fined Rs 5,62,500 across two celebration-related incidents—but remains unfazed, continuing to showcase both flair and fire with every wicket.