Opening Salvo: In a fiery outburst, former India opener Virender Sehwag has taken the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to task over what he deems an unfair suspension of Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) young leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi. The rookie, playing his debut season in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), was slapped with a one-match ban following a heated on-field altercation with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma. Sehwag, known for his no-nonsense commentary, called out the BCCI for inconsistency in disciplinary actions, drawing comparisons to past incidents involving cricketing giants MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who faced milder repercussions for similar or graver infractions.
The Incident and Suspension: Digvesh Rathi, a promising 22-year-old talent from Rajasthan, found himself in hot water after his third breach of the IPL Code of Conduct this season during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 18, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The confrontation with Sharma was the tipping point, leading to an accumulation of five demerit points—a threshold that triggers an automatic one-match suspension as per IPL regulations. The BCCI’s official statement detailed Rathi’s prior offenses: one demerit point against Punjab Kings on April 1, 2025, and two points against Mumbai Indians on April 4, 2025. His latest infraction, classified as a Level 1 offense under Article 2.5, added two more points, sealing his fate for LSG’s next fixture against Gujarat Titans on May 22, 2025, at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Sehwag’s Defense: Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag expressed his frustration over the BCCI’s handling of the situation, labeling the punishment as excessively harsh for a player in his maiden IPL season. “I thought the ban was a bit over the top. The boy is just starting out in the IPL. MS Dhoni had stormed onto the field during a match, and he wasn’t banned. Virat Kohli has had sharp words with umpires countless times, and he too escaped suspension. Why not spare Digvesh Rathi? He’s a young player, new to the scene. They could have let this one slide,” Sehwag argued passionately, advocating for leniency given Rathi’s inexperience at the elite level.
Historical Comparisons: Sehwag’s critique shines a spotlight on past controversies involving two of India’s biggest cricket icons. In 2019, during an IPL clash between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, MS Dhoni infamously walked onto the field mid-match to contest a no-ball decision with the umpires—an act that raised eyebrows but resulted in only a 50% match fee fine. Similarly, Virat Kohli, over his illustrious 18-year IPL career with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been involved in multiple heated exchanges with officials and players, yet has never crossed the demerit point threshold for a suspension. According to IPL records, Kohli has accumulated fines totaling over INR 5 million for various breaches, but his point tally has consistently stayed below the suspension limit. In contrast, Rathi’s controversial ‘notebook’ celebrations—where he mimics writing names of dismissed batsmen—were flagged as unsportsmanlike, contributing significantly to his rapid accrual of demerit points.
Impact on LSG and the Bigger Picture: The suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time for Lucknow Super Giants, who are battling for a playoff spot in a fiercely competitive IPL 2025 season. Rathi, with 12 wickets in 8 matches at an impressive average of 22.50, has been a revelation for the franchise, often turning games with his deceptive googlies and sharp turn. His absence against Gujarat Titans—a team boasting a strong batting lineup—could dent LSG’s chances. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, the other party in the altercation, escaped with a fine and additional demerit points, further fueling debates over unequal treatment. This incident has reignited discussions on whether the BCCI’s disciplinary framework is too rigid for emerging players or if high-profile stars receive preferential treatment—a narrative that has haunted Indian cricket for decades.
Closing Thoughts: As the IPL 2025 season heats up, Virender Sehwag’s stinging remarks have added a new layer of drama off the field. The question remains: Is the BCCI’s disciplinary system truly equitable, or does it inadvertently favor established stars over budding talents like Digvesh Rathi? For now, the young spinner must sit out, reflect, and return stronger, while fans and analysts alike await the BCCI’s response to Sehwag’s hard-hitting critique. One thing is clear—cricket’s gentlemanly spirit is often tested in the cauldron of T20 cricket, and striking a balance between discipline and fairness is no easy feat.