Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Digvesh Rathi accumulated his third fine of the season after his notebook celebration was deemed to be unsportsmanlike and against IPL's code of conduct.
His latest penalty came in the IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) when he got into a heated altercation after dismissing Abhishek Sharma. The SRH batter confronted the LSG spinner for his trademark celebration, which appeared to be disrespectful.
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He has so far been fined 25%, 50%, and 50% of his match fees for each of his three breaches.
He was also handed one, two, and two demerit points, totalling five points, which led to his suspension from LSG's next match against Gujarat Titans (GT).
MORE: Digvesh Rathi's total fine amount in IPL 2025 & the reason for his 1-match suspension explained
The fines applied on Rathi has sparked a discussion about who actually pays these fines.
Who pays the IPL fines applied to players and staff?
According to multiple reports, there is no hard and fast rule as to who actually pays the fine applied to members of a franchise.
More often than not the IPL teams bear the burden of the fines imposed on their players, however, there are some sides who cut it from their players' match fee.
MORE: Digvesh Rathi 'notebook' celebration meaning: Full list of wickets taken by LSG spinner in IPL 2025
The IPL has started penalising teams for slow-over rates this season. The fine for this offence is often cut from the captain's matchday allowance. In the case of Rathi, it is yet to be confirmed whether LSG owners or the player himself will pay the fines.
During the Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli scuffle in 2023, the franchise RCB and LSG cleared the fines, and not the two Indian stars.
When and how are IPL fines paid to BCCI?
IPL fines do not need to be paid by teams or their players immediately. Rather, the BCCI sends them an invoice describing the amount to be paid, which is to be only given at the end of the season.
It is then up to the team to decide whether they pay the fine or the player who it has been applied to bears the burden.