[Watch] IPL 2025: Digvesh Rathi’s ‘notebook’ celebration recalls Virat Kohli-Kesrick Williams exchange

At the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 1, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) ended up being a lopsided match. The game, which Punjab won by eight wickets, did have some intriguing moments, though.

Punjab got off to a quick start chasing a target of 172 thanks to Prabhsimran Singh, who attacked the LSG bowlers right away. Priyansh Arya, the other opener, did not have a particularly noteworthy performance, though. In the third over, leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi removed him. Rathi was pulled to the on-side for a boundary attempt by the southpaw, who made his debut in the Delhi Premier League after blasting six sixes in an over. But all he could manage was a top-edge. The batter was dismissed by Shardul Thakur, who sprinted to his right from mid-on and made a simple catch.

Digvesh Rathi rushed over to Arya as he was turning around and heading back to the pavilion, bringing out the notepad celebration.

The move reminded me of the famous celebration that former West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams used to have after he got rid of a batter. After firing Virat Kohli in 2017, Williams followed suit. However, after bringing the speedster to the cleaners in Hyderabad in 2019, the renowned batter memorably responded with the same jubilation.

#DigveshRathi provides the breakthrough as #PriyanshArya heads back!

P.S: Don’t miss the celebration at the end! 👀✍🏻

Watch LIVE action of #LSGvPBKS ➡ https://t.co/GLxHRDQajv#IPLOnJiostar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! | #IndianPossibleLeague pic.twitter.com/TAhHDtXX8n

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 1, 2025

Rathi and the umpire had a conversation following the incident. It appears that the bowler was asked not to carry out the contentious celebration again. It is interesting to note that Rathi and Arya play domestic cricket for Delhi. It’s likely that the 25-year-old’s celebration was a harmless one, with him merely engaging in light-hearted banter. Spectators will be anticipating Arya’s reaction when the two teams rematch in the second part of the competition.

Prabhsimran blazed a half-century after Arya was dismissed, but he was dismissed for 69 off 34 deliveries. With scores of 52 (30) and 43 (25), respectively, Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera stayed undefeated as PBKS easily won in 16.2 overs.