Veteran Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has raised concerns over the perceived inconsistency in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) disciplinary actions, following the suspension of Lucknow Super Giants’ leg-spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi. Virender Sehwag highlighted how prominent players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli faced on-field controversies during the IPL but were never suspended, while a young player like Digvesh received a strict penalty. His comments reflect broader questions about fairness and the treatment of players at different stages of their careers within the IPL.
Virender Sehwag Highlights Past IPL Incidents Involving MSDhoni and Kohli
Virender Sehwag referred to notable incidents involving MS Dhoni and Kohli to underline his point. He recalled how MS Dhoni once entered the playing field during a match in IPL 2019 between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to argue with umpires over a no-ball decision. Despite the on-field breach, MS Dhoni was only fined 50% of his match fee and not suspended. Similarly, Virat Kohli, known for his fiery exchanges with umpires throughout his IPL career, has never faced suspension either. Sehwag feels that Digvesh Rathi’s ban seems harsh considering these precedents, especially since Digvesh is a newcomer making his way into the league.
Reason Behind Digvesh Rathi’s Suspension Explained
However, the reasons behind Digvesh’s suspension are more nuanced than a single incident. The BCCI’s code of conduct uses a demerit points system where players accumulate points for violations. Digvesh had already gathered three demerit points earlier in the season due to previous breaches linked to his expressive notebook celebrations after dismissing opponents. The recent on-field scuffle with Abhishek Sharma during LSG’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad added two more demerit points, taking his total to five. According to BCCI rules, reaching five demerit points leads to a one-match suspension, which is why Digvesh will miss LSG’s upcoming game against Gujarat Titans. In contrast, MS Dhoni and Kohli never accumulated enough points for suspension, which explains why they escaped similar penalties despite their incidents.
Virender Sehwag’s remarks open a discussion on how disciplinary actions are managed in the IPL, especially regarding young players versus established stars. The debate highlights the importance of consistent and transparent governance to maintain fairness on and off the field.
