IPL 2025: Kohli Had A Reason, No Sense In Digwesh's Celebration

Punjab Kings Win Another Match, Digwesh's Celebration Raking Up Controversy

Punjab Kings won their second successive match in IPL 2025 as they defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at their home stadium. In the limelight now, however, is LSG spinner Digwesh Rathi for his celebratory gesture after having picked up Punjab opener Priyansh Arya.

Digwesh mimicked Kesrick Williams’ signature celebration by running towards Priyansh and making a "signing" gesture, symbolizing that he had added the batter’s wicket to his record. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, during commentary, referenced a similar incident involving Virat Kohli in the past, but he argued that Kohli’s celebration had context, unlike Digwesh’s.

Gavaskar: "There Is No Point in Digwesh's Celebration"

Sunil Gavaskar said celebrations in cricket are fine but have to be of some meaning. He said:

"There is nothing wrong with a batsman or bowler celebrating. If a bowler takes a wicket, they should be happy. However, if a wicket falls after a boundary or six, celebrating makes sense. But when a bowler delivers five consecutive dot balls and then takes a wicket on the last ball, such a celebration holds no meaning."

He also pointed out that Kohli’s similar celebration had historical context:

"Virat Kohli did the same earlier, but there was a reason. In the 2017 series, Kesrick Williams also celebrated in the same manner after getting Kohli out. Kohli got his revenge later in the game by hitting boundaries off Williams and repeated the 'signature' gesture as a reply."

Punjab Fans Troll Digwesh

Punjab Kings fans responded to Digwesh's stunts with mockery of his jubilation when the team won. During the match, the on-field umpire was said to have issued a warning to Digwesh for his action. Furthermore, the IPL Advisory Committee had fined him by an amount equal to 25% of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.

Interestingly enough, both Digwesh and Priyansh Arya had been teammates in the Delhi Premier League last season, so their on-field rivalry was all the more interesting.