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Digvesh Singh has been making waves in IPL not just with his bowling but also garnering attention for his wicket celebration that has resulted in multiple fines from the BCCI.
Digvesh Singh (left) celebrates after dismissing Priyansh Arya of Punjab Kings (BCCI Photo)
After dismissing Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya, Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Singh gave quite a send-off to the opponent batter. After Arya’s attempted pull shot resulted in a top edge followed by a simple catch for the mid-on fielder, Digvesh went close to Arya and pretended to scribble something on his palm. It was the bowler signing the name of his victim on an imaginary notebook.
The on-field umpire reprimanded the bowler who was later also punished by the BCCI with a fine and a demerit point for breaching the IPL code of conduct.
Digvesh though was unfazed. He brought out the celebration against Mumbai Indians when he dismissed Naman Dhir. A bigger fine followed.
The legspinner then unleashed a modified version of his ‘notebook celebration’ against Rajasthan Royals to avoid any disciplinary action. After accounting for Jos Buttler, the LSG bowler pretended to scribble, this time on the turf.
Digvesh’s older brother Sunny has revealed why his sibling hasn’t shunned the ‘notebook celebration’ despite the punishments.
“I did ask Digvesh about it. He told me it motivates him,” Sunny told The Indian Express. “I said, ‘okay, if that helps you play better, fine, but don’t disrespect any player’. He’s not doing it to attract attention. He was not even on social media till recently… wouldn’t even update his WhatsApp status. He would say, ‘what is the point of status update, when you don’t have status’?”
Digvesh, who hails from Delhi, used to play for different clubs before his career took off after being spotted by former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya during a local match.
Digvesh played for South Delhi Superstarz in the inaugural season of Delhi Premier League (DPL) where he took 14 wickets last year. Later, he was signed by LSG at his base price of Rs 30 lakh at the IPL mega auction.
“He (Digvesh) would get calls from different clubs in Delhi and play for whichever team had a spot open. At one point, I had enrolled him at a reputed academy in Peeragarhi for Rs 2,500 a month but they made him sit on the bench for two years. But once Dahiya saw him at a local match, Digvesh got support. Dahiya called him to train at his Mori Gate academy,” Sunny said.
