IPL 2025: Why is Digvesh Rathi not included in LSG playing XI against GT in match No. 64

Digvesh Rathi is the leading wicket-taker for LSG in IPL 2025.

Gujarat Titans (GT) are locking horns with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match No. 64 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Thursday, May 22. The venue of GT vs LSG clash is the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Hence, GT have the home advantage in the clash.

Talking about the match, GT skipper Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Titans kept the same playing XI in the match as in the last game. However, LSG made some changes in their playing XI.

Interestingly, spinner Divgesh Rathi is not part of the LSG’s playing XI in the match. Rathi is the leading wicket-taker for the Super Giants in IPL 2025. The leg spinner has clinched 14 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 8.19.

Why is Digvesh Rathi not included in LSG playing XI vs GT?

Notably, Rathi is not part of LSG’s playing XI as he has been handed a one-match suspension by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rathi faced the suspension following his infamous notebook celebration in the previous clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

During the match, Rathi performed his notebook celebration after dismissing SRH opener Abhishek Sharma. His send-off also angered Sharma, and both had a verbal altercation during the match. Umpires and LSG skipper Rishabh Pant intervened to calm both players.

Notably, Rathi was fined twice for his notebook celebration earlier in the tournament. On the first occasion, BCCI fined him 25% of his match fees and handed a demerit point. On the second occasion, he was fined 50% of his match fees with two demerit points. As Rathi repeated his offence for the third time against SRH, he was handed with 50% fine on his match fees and two demerit points.

The LSG spinner collected five demerit points in total after repeating the act for the third time. According to the IPL Code of Conduct, four demerit points equals to a one-match suspension. Hence, Rathi was suspended from playing in the GT vs LSG clash.

Meanwhile, GT have already qualified for playoffs of IPL 2025. On the other hand, LSG are out of the race for the playoffs. Both sides have two more games left in the tournament, including the ongoing clash against each other in Ahmedabad.

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