Abhishek Sharma claps back at Digvesh Rathi with four-word post

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma found himself in the middle of an on-field spat with Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi during their IPL match on Monday. The tension flared after Rathi dismissed Sharma and celebrated with his signature notebook gesture, seemingly accompanied by some taunting words. Sharma, clearly not pleased, walked straight up to Rathi instead of going back to the pavilion as the two exchanged heated words before the umpires and other players intervened to break it up.

Lit Abhishek Sharma 🗿🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/zyBhiQxByJ

— Antara (@AntaraonX) May 19, 2025

Although the pair were later seen shaking hands following SRH’s six-wicket win, a post-match Instagram update from Sharma hinted that the dust hadn't quite settled.

Abhishek Sharma fires back on Instagram with a cryptic message after on-field clash.

Despite SRH's struggles this season, Abhishek Sharma has consistently stepped up with the bat, making his presence felt at the top of the order. In Monday’s high-scoring clash, he came out swinging, taking the LSG bowlers to task with a blistering 59 off just 20 balls. His innings gave SRH a flying start before Rathi managed to dismiss him, triggering the controversial celebration that sparked the altercation.

But the drama didn’t end on the field. Later at night, Sharma posted a 'cold' message on Instagram that many saw as a dig aimed at Rathi. He said it all in just four words, writing, “Signed off and sealed,” followed by a writing hand emoji, a clear reference to the spinner’s notebook celebration.

View this post on Instagram

Digvesh Rathi's response 

Hours after Abhishek's post, Digvesh Rathi dropped a picture of himself in the middle of his signature celebration, writing, "Happy to add more names to my list."

View this post on Instagram

Abhishek Sharma and Digvijay Rathi's spat sparks X memefest

Both out of the playoff race, LSG and SRH brought the heat anyway, delivering the kind of drama IPL fans thrive on, especially as the tournament resumed after a brief suspension due to India-Pakistan tensions. As the fiery exchange between Abhishek Sharma and Digvesh Rathi played out on screen, cricket Twitter (now X) lit up with reactions. Fans flooded the platform with memes and reels, most of them poking fun at Rathi, joking that he might end up handing his entire match fee to the BCCI as penalty for the on-field showdown.

Digvesh Rathi you are done and dusted. Pack bags. Abhishek Sharma is a class player, and you have finished your career before you started Rathi. #LSGvsSRH

pic.twitter.com/AKxDqS3M5h

— Raja Mishra🇮🇳 (@raja_mishra02) May 19, 2025

Check out some more hilarious fan reactions below:

Abhishek sharma to digvesh pic.twitter.com/0GDpVTkCS4

— srh 🧡 (@srh_addict) May 19, 2025

abhishek sharma gonna pull yuvraj singh in next faceoff: pic.twitter.com/7QhQWZM54v

— Xavier Uncle (@xavierunclelite) May 19, 2025

Yuvraj Singh on his way to Digvesh Rathi's hotel room pic.twitter.com/VGq7qaRtZP

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 19, 2025

Abhishek Sharma.💀 pic.twitter.com/gNJy8NnsUJ

— Gems of Cricket (@GemsOfCrickets) May 19, 2025

During the spat, Abhishek reportedly snapped at Rathi with, “Choti kaat dunga” (I'll chop off your hair), which also instantly sparked a wave of memes and jokes across social media.

#LSGvSRH #abhisheksharma

Engaging in a fierce and heated argument with Digvesh Rathi

Abhishek Sharma ... Choti ✂️✂️ pic.twitter.com/cJGtx1xrIt

— Killer Cool 🇮🇳 (@KillerCool13) May 19, 2025

After this, Digvesh #LSGvsSRH #abhisheksharma #IPL2025 Digvesh Rathi #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/ByRWTdldPK

— Mohit Gauri (@mohit_gaurii08) May 19, 2025

Digvesh Rathi suspended by BCCI

Meanwhile, Digvesh Rathi has been suspended for one match after the IPL Governing Council ruled that he violated the league’s Code of Conduct for the third time this season. Already fined twice for his over-the-top wicket celebrations, Rathi’s heated face-off with Sharma ended up being the final straw.

The BCCI confirmed that Rathi has now racked up multiple demerit points — including one against Punjab Kings and two against Mumbai Indians earlier this season — leading to both a 50% match fee fine and a suspension from LSG’s next game against Gujarat Titans.

An IPL statement said, “This was his third Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 this season,” making the punishment automatic under the league’s disciplinary rules.