IPL 2025: Digvesh Rathi explains the background of his “notebook” celebration before his match against RCB

Digvesh Rathi, a leg-spinner for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has not only become the team’s top wicket-taker with 14 in 12 games, but he has also gone viral for his unusual “notebook” celebration, which has drawn criticism and disciplinary punishment.

During the 2025 Indian Premier League, Digvesh Rathi “notebook” celebration went viral, in which he acts as though he is striking a name off a fictitious list after every dismissal. The IPL’s Code of Conduct was repeatedly broken as a result of the gesture, which amused the supporters but was viewed as hostile or unsportsmanlike by the match officials. Digvesh Rathi has now finally spoken up about the origins of the celebration in a widely shared video.

“Jab bhi koi tournament hota hai, main notebook leke jaata hoon, start yeh hai ki.” The Lucknow Super Giants shared a video of him saying, “Aur usme sabke naam likhne hain mujhe” (Thing how it started is, I carry a notebook every time there is a competition to write everyone’s names in it).”

Challan kaatne ka anokha raaz 👀 pic.twitter.com/93eR0G78ST

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 26, 2025

Digvesh Rathi dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma during LSG’s last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He then gave the batter an aggressive send-off with his trademark notebook gesture, which resulted in a violent verbal altercation with the batter that needed umpire Michael Gough’s involvement.

The Delhi native was thus fined 50% of his match fee and given a one-match suspension. He now has five demerit points under Article 2.5 after breaking the IPL’s Code of Conduct for the third time this season. Notably, the spinner was unable to play against the Gujarat Titans due to a ban and has already been fined INR 9.37 million, which is over a third of his IPL income.

He had previously been punished for making identical gestures to Mumbai Indians’ Naman Dhir and Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya. The 25-year-old persisted in giving heartfelt farewells in spite of numerous warnings and penalties. On Tuesday, May 27, when LSG plays Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season’s last league match, the spinner is anticipated to return to the starting lineup.