Digvesh Rathi’s Notebook Celebration Sparks Kohli-Williams Flashback | IPL 2025

Digvesh Rathi’s Notebook Celebration Sparks Kohli-Kesrick Williams Déjà Vu in IPL 2025

Match Summary
Lucknow Super Giants pacer Digvesh Rathi found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2025 clash after he gave Punjab’s Priyansh Arya an aggressive send-off. The "notebook" celebration, reminiscent of Kesrick Williams' infamous face-off with Virat Kohli, reignited memories of one of T20 cricket’s most animated on-field rivalries.

Scorecard
Match 13 – IPL 2025
LSG: 171/7 (20 overs)
PBKS: 177/2 (16.2 overs) – Won by 8 wickets
Notable moment: Priyansh Arya dismissed by Digvesh Rathi (8 off 9), followed by controversial celebration

Digvesh Rathi’s Send-Off to Priyansh Arya Draws Mixed Reactions in IPL 2025

IPL is known for its drama, flair, and intensity and sometimes that spills over into heated or controversial moments. The latest flashpoint came in Match 13 between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, where fast bowler Digvesh Rathi's send-off to Priyansh Arya stole the spotlight from an otherwise clinical win for Punjab. Rathi, who picked up Arya early in the chase, celebrated by miming a signature gesture pretending to write the batter’s name in a notebook before walking past him. The moment instantly sparked comparisons to the iconic Kohli vs Kesrick Williams saga.

As Arya walked off, the on-field umpire stepped in, visibly displeased with the over-the-top antics. Arya, to his credit, kept his cool and walked away without engaging. But cricket Twitter and fans around the world were quick to dissect the gesture, reigniting the debate over sportsmanship versus personality in modern cricket.

#DigveshRathi provides the breakthrough as #PriyanshArya heads back!

P.S: Don't miss the celebration at the end! ????✍????

Watch LIVE action of #LSGvPBKS ➡ https://t.co/GLxHRDQajv#IPLOnJiostar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! | #IndianPossibleLeague pic.twitter.com/TAhHDtXX8n

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 1, 2025

The Notebook Celebration: From Caribbean Swagger to IPL Controversy

To understand why Rathi’s celebration drew such strong reactions, you have to go back to 2017. West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams had made the notebook celebration his trademark pulling out an imaginary diary and “logging” the name of the batter he dismissed. That gesture reached global fame when he did it to none other than Virat Kohli during an ODI in the Caribbean.

But if there’s one player in the world you don’t want to taunt, it’s Kohli. Two years later, in the 2019 T20I series in India, Kohli turned the tables. After hammering Williams for a flurry of boundaries scoring 32 runs off just 12 deliveries against him Kohli celebrated with the same notebook gesture, silencing his rival and creating one of the most viral moments in T20 history.

The Kohli vs Kesrick Williams saga is etched into cricket folklore. So when Rathi repeated that exact move against Arya in IPL 2025, fans couldn’t help but draw parallels. The difference? Kohli’s response came with runs. Rathi’s celebration, though bold, came far too early in the contest and Arya’s teammates would go on to chase down the total with ease.

When Celebration Becomes Controversy

This incident once again brings the sportsmanship in cricket debate to the forefront. While aggression has always been a part of the sport especially in fast bowling the modern game has seen players cross lines with gestures and send-offs. The ICC’s code of conduct has specific clauses against “excessive celebration” and “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game,” something the umpires seemed to remind Rathi of during the brief on-field chat.

What’s important to consider here is context. Rathi, a rising name in Indian domestic circuits, was playing only his second IPL game. For many young players, emotions run high in such high-stakes games. But the line between showing passion and disrespecting opponents remains a thin one, and navigating it well often defines a player’s maturity and longevity in the league.

What Arya Didn’t Say Spoke Loudly

Though Priyansh Arya was dismissed cheaply in this particular innings, his reaction or lack thereof earned respect. He didn’t react to the send-off, didn’t glance back, and simply walked off. In a league where every move is scrutinized by millions, that sort of composure is rare and admirable.

Arya has been one of PBKS’s young revelations this season, and this early setback didn’t derail the team’s momentum. Punjab rode on Prabhsimran Singh's explosive knock and a composed innings from Shreyas Iyer to chase down the target with ease. In the end, Arya had the last laugh even if he wasn’t around to hit the winning runs.

Lessons from the Kohli-Williams Chapter

The reason Kohli’s retaliation to Kesrick Williams became a legend wasn’t because of the celebration—it was because of the runs that followed. Kohli let his bat talk, and then added flair to the moment. That’s what transformed a borderline taunt into an unforgettable piece of cricket theatre.

Digvesh Rathi’s gesture lacked that impact. While he picked up a key wicket, the celebration felt misaligned with the game context. Punjab chased down the total in under 17 overs, and Rathi went wicketless for the remainder of the game. In retrospect, the gesture felt premature, and the backlash on social media reflected that.

Where Does IPL Draw the Line

The IPL 2025 Digvesh Rathi celebration adds to the growing list of moments where bowlers have crossed into taunting territory. Cricket, especially in the T20 era, thrives on entertainment but it also thrives on mutual respect. For every iconic celebration like Imran Tahir’s sprints or Harbhajan Singh’s fist-pumps, there are those that toe the line, as this one arguably did.

With umpire intervention, Rathi may escape further sanctions, but it serves as a reminder that in a tournament watched by millions, behaviour matters as much as performance.

Final Thoughts: Let the Cricket Speak

The IPL is as much a platform for drama as it is for cricketing excellence. Digvesh Rathi’s celebration may have gone viral, but it also offers a learning moment for young players and veterans alike. Channeling aggression is part of the game, but respecting opponents while doing so is what separates the good from the great.

As fans await the next LSG fixture, one thing is certain: every move, every word, every gesture in the IPL is under the microscope. And as Virat Kohli showed us back in 2019 if you really want to send a message, do it with your bat.