Narine, who was giving LSG bowlers nightmares with a rapid 30 off 13 deliveries, was castled by Rathi in the 7th over, just when KKR were gaining serious momentum at 91/1. Instead of a traditional celebration, Rathi dramatically pulled out an imaginary notebook, scribbled Narine’s name, and slashed it out—marking a ‘mission accomplished’ moment in theatrical fashion. And just like that, social media had its headline: Rathi, the Kaleshi king of IPL 2025, strikes again.

The Controversy That Follows the Celebration

Digvesh Rathi’s signature style hasn’t exactly gone unnoticed—or unpunished. The 25-year-old first caught the public’s eye during LSG’s match against Punjab Kings when he gave his Delhi mate Priyansh Arya a similar send-off. Standing toe-to-toe with Arya, Rathi made the now-viral gesture and was quickly pulled up by BCCI. The spinner was fined 25% of his match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which governs “inappropriate” send-offs.

The controversy didn’t stop him. During the LSG vs MI clash, Rathi repeated the act—albeit at a distance—after sending back Naman Dhir. BCCI doubled down: a 50% fine and two more demerit points were added to his record.

What Exactly is Article 2.5?

According to the IPL Code of Conduct, Article 2.5 covers “any action, gesture, or language directed at a batter upon dismissal, with the potential to provoke an aggressive reaction or disparage the batter.” In short: keep the send-off clean. While Rathi’s act hasn’t involved direct confrontation, its dramatic flair has pushed boundaries—much like the West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams, who once popularized the celebration.

The dismissal of Narine may now land Rathi in hotter water. With three demerit points already on his name, one more could result in a match ban. But if Rathi is worried, he doesn’t show it.

What Fans Think: The ‘SPINE’ Factor

Despite BCCI’s warnings, cricket fans across social media platforms are rallying behind the leggie. To them, Rathi isn’t just a bowler—he’s a vibe.

“This guy Digvesh is unstoppable and he has something which most cricketers don’t have… it’s called SPINE,” one X user passionately posted.

“If I was Pant, I would tell him to keep at it and that I’ll take care of the fines,” added another, referencing Rishabh Pant’s captaincy and sky-high paycheck.

“These kinds of players make this sport more enjoyable,” wrote a third. “I seriously hope he is not fined for this celebration or else just scrap this league ffs.”

“Because I’m From Delhi”

Post-match, when teammate Nicholas Pooran asked Rathi why he chose to celebrate after dismissing his idol Sunil Narine, the young spinner smiled and replied, “Because I’m from Delhi.”

It’s cheeky. It’s bold. And it perfectly sums up what makes Digvesh Rathi a unique character in the glitzy, personality-driven universe of the IPL. Whether he’s ruffling feathers or winning fans, one thing’s clear: Rathi isn’t playing just for wickets—he’s playing for headlines.