Former India opener Virender Sehwag criticized the BCCI for treating IPL players differently in terms of penalties for breaking the Code of Conduct. Sehwag made the statement after Digvesh Singh Rathi, a leg spinner for the Lucknow Super Giants, was banned for a game due to his on-field fight with Abhishek Sharma during the match between LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Demerit points and a penalty were imposed on Abhishek.

Since there have been prior IPL incidents involving well-known players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, but the BCCI never suspended them, Sehwag claimed that Digvesh's ban was severe.

"In my opinion, the prohibition was a little too severe. This is the boy's first season in the IPL. At the time, MS Dhoni was not prohibited from entering the field. Who knows how many times Virat Kohli has spoken to umpires in that manner, but he wasn't even given a ban. Thus, Digvesh Rathi might have been saved since he is a young player who is just entering the field and might have let that one go," Sehwag stated during an interview with Cricbuzz.

During the Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings IPL 2019 match, MS Dhoni walked onto the field during CSK's chase to debate a contentious no-ball decision with the umpires. The CSK captain received a punishment of 50% of his match fees.

Throughout the 18 years of the IPL, Kohli has been engaged in a number of on-field conflicts, but he has never been banned.

The reason why Digvesh Rathi was prohibited while Dhoni and Kohli were able to escape

Sehwag did, however, overlook one important factor. That one event involving Abhishek Sharma was not the reason for Digvesh Rathi's suspension. The LSG leg-spinner had previously earned three demerit points for infractions of the Code of Conduct that were classified as Level 1 offenses, mostly as a result of his excessive tick-the-notebook celebrations following the dismissal of rival batsmen. Digvesh's third offense of the season was the on-field altercation with Abhishek Sharma, which was once started by his notebook celebration, bringing his total demerit points for the year to five.

"This was his third Level 1 violation under Article 2.5 this season, and as a result, he has received two demerit points in addition to the three demerit points he previously accrued: one demerit point against the Punjab Kings on April 1, 2025, and two demerit points against the Mumbai Indians on April 4, 2025. Since Digvesh currently has five demerit points this season, which warrants a one-game ban, he will be suspended from LSG's upcoming match against the Gujarat Titans on May 22, 2025 in Ahmedabad, according to the BCCI.

In contrast to Dhoni and Kohli, whose demerit points total never exceeded five, the BCCI was unable to formally ban them.

Read Also: Road to IPL 2025 Final: Analyzing PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Matchup and Likely Winner

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!