Team India faced a disappointing end to their first innings on Day 2, after reaching a promising 430/3, ending up at 471 all out. The last seven wickets fell for only 41 runs, and India’s second innings began with new members of the lineup, with Josh Tongue carrying momentum from the previous over. Tongue played a key role in dismantling India’s lower order, finishing with 4/86. He took the crucial wickets of centurion Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Prasidh Krishna.

After the last wicket, there was a lighthearted moment that went viral when England captain Ben Stokes jokingly made an 'eating' gesture towards Tongue. Former England pacer Stuart Broad later explained its meaning on social media. “‘Eating rabbit pie. Getting the Tailenders out. Knocking over the lower order,’” Broad wrote on X, confirming that the gesture was a fun reference to cleaning up the tail. The moment sparked laughter and conversation online.

Stokes wasn’t just involved in the celebrations—he was also among England’s best bowlers. The skipper claimed four wickets himself, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Shardul Thakur. His performance, alongside Tongue’s, ensured India couldn’t capitalize on a strong foundation laid by the top order.

Stokes and Tongue Turn the Tide as Pope Anchors England Reply

England countered in reply, with Ollie Pope taking the lead. At stumps on Day 2, England were 209/3, still behind by 262 runs. Pope was unbeaten on 100*, with Harry Brook solid on 0*. The final session belonged to England, who ended on a high.

Watch the video here

What was that gesture from Ben Stokes to Josh Tongue? 😅 pic.twitter.com/7HBIs5BlFF

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 21, 2025

See Also: [Watch] ENG vs IND 1st Test: Mohammed Siraj removes Ben Stokes with a perfect Seamer outside off

Pope and Ben Duckett shared a 122-run partnership, with Duckett scoring 62 before Jasprit Bumrah bowled him with a peach that shattered the middle stump. Bumrah also dismissed Joe Root for 28, caught by Karun Nair, marking the 10th time Root fell to Bumrah. Although Brook was dismissed off a no-ball, he and Pope saw England safely to stumps without further damage.

In the colorful IPL 2025 show, Lucknow Super Giants' spinner, Digvesh Rathi has not only been the talk of the town for his 10 wickets in 10 matches, but also for his unique "notebook celebration." Rathi does a writing motion in the air, when he gets the wicket of the opponent, one that has driven the fans crazy. According to the words of Abhishek Tripathi, Rathi confessed, “I have purchased a notebook and wish to jot down the names of all the wickets that I have taken and take it with me…,” thus indicating that he wanted to do it. As he dismissed the players, Rathi gestured the process of writing their names in his imaginary notebook, a step that had fans in awe.

One instance, the celebration was seen for the first time in the match against Punjab Kings. Rathi was in a jubilant mood after dismissing Priyansh Arya and made a mockery of his notebook brandishing. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took action and fined Rathi for being in violation of the IPL Code of Conduct but Rathi, who was not a quitter, stood by his unusual reaction of repeating the performance while dealing with big players such as Sunil Narine and Shreyas Iyer. In bowling, his economy rate is 7.43, which is a clear indication of his proficiency in it, but it is the excitement of the act of gratitude and praises that has brought about the arguments with reporters like Sunil Gavaskar, calling it a “show off.”

Rathi's celebration particularly gained a lot more affection from his camaraderie with Priyansh Arya, adding that Rathi's fervor made it much more interesting for the fans. he said, “I am the center of attention only because of my celebration,” noting that his was a psychological and uplifting action. The family's advice to be respectful of other players from different places made Rathi come up with humorous acts such as signing the grass after he took the wicket of Narine, his idol, in a Kolkata Knight Riders match.

A Celebration Beyond Controversy

He was still in high spirits, Rathi had fines amounting to Rs 5,62,500, and he also was given the 4th demerit point by the authorities for his conduct in the IPL. The situation had a double character. Simon Doull was an opponent to the BCCI, saying, “They punish me but you can do whatever you like!” Shahbaz Ahmed confirmed that the matter had been just fun when he said, “We were just joking about it”. A laugh was brought about by him, his teammates, teammates were enjoying the time together.

Also Read: Why did Virat Kohli stay silent as fans came in rain to celebrate his legacy?

Rathi's transformation from a Rs 30 lakh purchase to a prominent player not only highlights his determination but is also an inspiration to many. His haters marvel his brass by portraying his joke, "Short circuit," to be the one that is wrong. As he records wickets in his notebook—literal or not—Rathi is crafting a legacy of passion and triumph in IPL 2025, one name at a time.