Young Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi has been one of the standout stories of this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), bursting onto the scene with six wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 7.62. However, the bowler's unique celebration - after getting a wicket he mimes making notes in an imaginary book - has landed him in trouble. Two such send-offs - first to Priyansh Arya of Punjab Kings and later to Naman Dhir of Mumbai Indians - resulted in him getting fined by the IPL's disciplinary committee. His team mates are backing him but have their fingers crossed since another reprimand would result in suspension. “Priyansh Arya is his very good friend. He did it (celebration) in a friendly way. I hope he doesn’t do that again but it’s his first IPL season so all this is happening. I hope he doesn’t do that again but it’s his first IPL season so all this is happening,” said LSG all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed on eve of his team's game against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Tuesday’. The Super Giants are coming into the match with 2 wins and 2 losses, same as their hosts KKR but the Lucknow franchise’s biggest headache will be the form of skipper Rishabh Pant who hasn’t yet fired for his new team after being picked up in the IPL auction for a record Rs 27 crore. #DigveshRathi provides the breakthrough as #PriyanshArya heads back! P.S: Don't miss the celebration at the end! 👀✍🏻 Watch LIVE action of #LSGvPBKS ➡ | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! | #IndianPossibleLeague pic.twitter.com/TAhHDtXX8n — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 1, 2025 In 4 matches this season, Pant has scored just 19 runs at an average of 4.75 and strike rate of 59.38. But Shahbaz said that Lucknow aren’t in a state of panic over their skipper’s form. “There is no change in his mood. As always, he is chilled and relaxed. He is working very hard on his batting, and we believe that when crunch time comes, Rishabh Pant will score runs and win matches for us," Shahbaz said. Speaking on the pitch, Shahbaz, who is pretty familiar with the Eden due to playing for Bengal in the domestics, said that the surface which assists pace bowlers during Ranji won’t be the same while playing against KKR. "In domestic cricket, we mostly play red-ball matches here and those wickets are completely different. They assist pacers a lot. But this wicket looks slower. I don't think it will turn much, but the ball may stop a bit. It will be good for bowlers, especially spinners. Compared to Lucknow, it's a small ground here, so there are runs on offer too," he said.
