BCCI faces backlash as Digvesh Rathi gets one-match ban while Abhishek Sharma escapes with fine in IPL 2025

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has once again become the center of a controversy—not for a thrilling finish or a record-breaking performance—but for what many fans believe is an example of the BCCI’s inconsistent disciplinary actions. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi has been handed a one-match suspension and fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Abhishek Sharma, involved in the same altercation, walked away with a light 25% fine.

This unequal punishment has sparked a storm on social media, with fans slamming the BCCI for what they say is a familiar pattern of harshness towards bowlers and leniency for batters.

Digvesh Rathi faces ban after indulging in a verbal spat with Abhishek Sharma

The incident unfolded during LSG’s home game against SRH, when Rathi dismissed Abhishek in the eighth over of the second innings. As Sharma walked back, Rathi gave him a theatrical send-off, waving him goodbye and writing an imaginary note in his “notebook” — a gesture that seemed to mock the batter. A brief but intense exchange of words followed, forcing umpire Michael Gough to step in and separate the two players.

This was Rathi’s third offence of the season, earning him a fifth demerit point under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct — the trigger point for an automatic one-match suspension. As a result, the spinner will miss LSG’s next match against Gujarat Titans. Abhishek, on the other hand, was fined a quarter of his match fee and faces no suspension.

Also WATCH: IPL 2025 – Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek Sharma engage in a fiery exchange during LSG vs SRH match

Fans slam BCCI for double standards

The decision didn’t sit well with cricket followers. Several fans were quick to point out that Rathi’s suspension feels excessive, especially when aggression from star batters in the IPL is often brushed aside or mildly penalised. Some even referenced Virat Kohli’s numerous on-field outbursts, questioning why similar behaviour doesn’t trigger the same level of scrutiny.

The inconsistency in disciplinary action has triggered a flood of criticism online. Many believe the BCCI’s pattern of punishing bowlers more harshly reflects a systemic bias — one that could discourage passionate displays from emerging players.

Here’s how fans reacted:

This is India, here Bowlers not important, any batsman can celebrate but if the bowler does so, he is fined and the same happened with Digvesh Rathi, he was suspended for the next match with 50% fine.
#DigveshRathi #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/kMJJyWHhcW
— 𝘼𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙝 (@iamAkashAU) May 20, 2025

According to BCCI
Flirting harassment https://t.co/ju6Jd7Zct7 pic.twitter.com/VFPmdq20Na
— ROMEO (@ROMEO_77R) May 20, 2025

If virat does the celebration by screaming at batsmen when they got out after playing the good knocks no fines or bans but for others they will be banned. https://t.co/ktW9tANUEf
— rohit (@Rohit_17319) May 20, 2025

So Abhishek Sharma got away by a mere 25 % fine whereas Digvesh Rathi gets a one match ban. How is this even fair?
May be because Abhishek is the favourite of Yuvraj Singh and his PR is strong? Seems like the case.#DigveshRathi #AbhishekSharma
— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) May 20, 2025

That’s so unfair from @BCCI. Why single out Divgesh Rathi? Abhishek was also involved in the altercation! Both parties should face equal consequences for a fair resolution. #divgeshrathi #LSGvsSRH
— Varun Verma (@varunv04) May 20, 2025

Dear @BCCI, stop halting players with character on the field. it’s highly preposterous banning Digvesh Rathi for a game. It’s not a Kinder Garten game, it’s IPL. Bloody GROW UP!!! pic.twitter.com/rdLhjLJgPu
— Aatish Kapoor the oscar winner (@AkashThapa2505) May 20, 2025

BCCI is having issue only with Digvesh this season 🙃
A suspension for him but not for Abhishek?#Cricket #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/YJ9GeKRnoO
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) May 20, 2025

Guy showed some personality and fire in the belly, and got suspended. This feels like the @FA
Batsmen can look straight in the eye of the bowler after hitting a shot, nothing. Always double standards by the @BCCI https://t.co/Q3UfNRlYWb
— Donato Pavrey (@donatopavrey) May 20, 2025

Kohli kare to aggression
Main karu to sala character dheela https://t.co/g9ArxKNhb4
— ` (@chnaiSkings) May 20, 2025

Very Cheap from BCCI… batter gets fined bowlers suspended. https://t.co/8sIHRjztxM
— akshu akshu (@AkshayaTS4) May 20, 2025

I can’t understand why they target bowlers only, when batsman hits six or a century they can celebrate aggressively, but bowler can’t celebrate when they take a wicket ! https://t.co/YRiLAyNnEz
— . (@ItsShreek) May 20, 2025

Wow, but Kohli does even worse behaviour on ground he always goes scot free😑
Fine won’t bother him but banning some matches will.
If BCCI have the guts to sack him from ODI captaincy & test team, then show some in IPL too. https://t.co/k25haMWm3b pic.twitter.com/x29TyITCwf
— Supremo⁴⁵ (@PravsRo45) May 20, 2025

Totally unfair. They let kohli do all kinds of stupid drama on field but have a problem with a bowler celebrating a wicket. Lodu bcci https://t.co/Pdro2utzzQ
— J (@asliijp) May 20, 2025

The reason why i started hating this sport is BCCI because of their fucking different rules for batters and bowlers https://t.co/GMwX7xl19e
— 𝘼𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙝𝙮𝙖 (@Mahi_aradhya) May 20, 2025

Horrible! A batter can do anything he wants and so can Kohli but a bowler can’t celebrate a wicket the way he wants https://t.co/ZfPyAckxHb
— Som Prem (@som_prem) May 20, 2025

I am very disappointed with BCCI ! What was the need for suspension ? Was the fine not enough ? Why does BCCI target only young players ?@BCCI @JayShah @IPL @ShuklaRajiv #LSGvsSRH #SRHvsLSG IPL https://t.co/39jOEuVNtL
— Anand Shah 🇮🇳 (@anandshah76529) May 20, 2025

Classic BCCI
Its OK when Batsmen do it, but the moment Bowlers show that they aren’t submissive to a batsmen dominated game, BCCI draws the line.
Better replace bowlers with bowling machines @BCCI #DigveshRathi #AbhishekSharma #BCCI https://t.co/VFZOhCSUKb
— Shoronjeet Banerjee 🚩 (@shoronjeet02) May 20, 2025

Are only bowlers fined when they celebrate?? #LSGvsSRH
Bowlers like Digvesh Rathi make cricket entertaining ❤️
🚨Never seen any demerit points for this https://t.co/RAvR2pU4Qy pic.twitter.com/mfaFVVTscJ
— Robin (@robinchopra10) May 20, 2025

Harshit Rana only did a celebration of flying kiss and got banned now Digvesh with a harmless celebration gets suspended.
People use abusive words and get away. Nice BCCI https://t.co/6xvcnvzUc2
— Sujoy (@SujoyBarg07) May 20, 2025

Clown BCCI. Digvesh Mumbai Lobby Join karle, phir parchi kat te rahiyo inn sabki din bhar. Aggression Only Allowed For Some, Hypocrite BCCI. https://t.co/qDHYNuwwmK
— Aakriti (@Aakriti40819370) May 20, 2025