IPL 2025: Dighvish Rathi Faces Suspension After Altercation with Abhishek Sharma

Dighvish Rathi's Controversial Incident

On Monday, Dighvish Rathi, a spinner for the Lucknow Super Giants, had a heated exchange with Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma. During a notebook celebration, Rathi gestured for Abhishek to leave the field, leading to a significant argument that required intervention from the umpires. As a result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed a strict penalty on Rathi, suspending him for one match in IPL 2025. Consequently, he will miss the upcoming match against Gujarat Titans on May 22.

Shikhar Dhawan's Response

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan shared his thoughts on Rathi's suspension via a post on social media platform X. He remarked that sometimes, learning through tough experiences is the most effective way to retain lessons. Dhawan expressed hope that this incident would serve as a turning point for Rathi, encouraging him to channel his passion more positively and respect every player on the field.

Reactions from Cricket Fans

Dhawan's comments have sparked a variety of reactions from cricket enthusiasts. One user emphasized the importance of mutual respect among players, while others criticized Rathi's behavior during the match.

BCCI's Official Statement

According to an IPL press release, Dighvish Rathi was fined 50% of his match fee for violating the IPL code of conduct during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This incident marked his third Level One offense under Rule 2.5 this season, resulting in the addition of two more demerit points to his previous three. His record now stands at five demerit points, leading to his suspension for the next match. Additionally, Abhishek Sharma was fined 25% of his match fee for his involvement in the incident.

Social Media Reaction

Sometimes, learning the hard way is the only way the lesson sticks. Hopefully, this will be a turning point where Rathi learns to channel that fire more constructively and show the respect every player deserves on the field.

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 20, 2025