Sunil Gavaskar Trolls Akash Singh’s Viral Celebration in IPL 2026

The Fast-Paced Reality of IPL: Akash Singh’s Sudden Turn of Fortune

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season continues to deliver drama both on and off the field. For young Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Akash Singh, the clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur turned into a harsh learning experience. Just days after becoming an overnight sensation with a match-winning performance and a viral celebration, the left-arm pacer faced a brutal reality check, not just from the opposition batters, but also from legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar on live television.

While Rajasthan Royals pulled off a sensational run chase of 221 runs to keep their IPL 2026 playoff dreams alive, Akash Singh found himself under heavy scrutiny following an expensive outing with the ball on May 19. The young bowler, who had captured the public’s imagination earlier in the week, struggled to find his rhythm as the Rajasthan batters targeted him relentlessly in Jaipur.

The Highs: The Viral ‘Chit’ Celebration Against CSK

Only a match prior, Akash Singh was the toast of the town. During LSG’s thrilling encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the left-arm fast bowler produced a spectacular spell of fast bowling. He dismantled the CSK batting order, returning impressive figures of 3 for 26 in his quota of four overs, playing a pivotal role in securing a crucial victory for the Lucknow franchise.

It wasn’t just his wickets that grabbed headlines; it was his unique post-wicket celebration. After dismissing the CSK batters, Akash pulled out a unique ‘chit-style’ gesture—mimicking reading from a small piece of paper before putting it away. The celebration quickly went viral on social media, with fans and commentators praising the youngster’s confidence and flair.

The Lows: A Tough Night in Jaipur

However, cricket is a great leveler, and the very next match presented a completely different challenge. Defending a massive total against a fired-up Rajasthan Royals unit at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Akash Singh struggled to contain the flow of runs. He was hit to all parts of the ground, leaking an expensive 54 runs in just three overs.

Though he did manage to claim the prized wicket of RR opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rest of the RR batting lineup took him to task. Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was particularly ruthless against the young pacer. Showing maturity and power beyond his years, the teenage sensation took on Akash from the word go, playing fearless shots and dismantling any tactical plans the bowler tried to execute.

Sunil Gavaskar’s Brutal On-Air Takedown

As the runs flowed and the pressure mounted on the field, legendary former captain Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back his criticism from the commentary box. Known for his straightforward and traditional views on the game, Gavaskar questioned the utility of premature and extravagant celebrations when a bowler is struggling to execute basic deliveries.

Mocking Akash’s earlier ‘chit’ celebration, Gavaskar observed live on air: “I am asking, ‘Where’s the chit now?’ Chit is in the pocket, right? You got six deliveries in an over—you get a wicket in maybe one ball. With five balls, you are being clobbered. He has given 48 runs in 17 deliveries.”

Gavaskar’s critique highlighted a broader sentiment shared by many purists of the game: that young players should remain grounded and focus on consistency in a format as unpredictable and unforgiving as T20 cricket.

A New Celebration Amidst the Runs

Interestingly, the heavy punishment did not completely deter the young bowler’s spirits. After successfully dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Singh debuted yet another eye-catching celebration. This time, he pointed directly to his head before raising a finger towards the sky—a direct tribute to the famous celebration style of Manchester United and England football star Marcus Rashford.

While the gesture showed the youngster’s high spirits, it did little to halt the momentum of the rampaging Rajasthan Royals, who seemed completely in control of the steep run chase.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and RR’s Playoff Lifeline

The undisputed hero of the night for Rajasthan Royals was young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Chasing a daunting target of 221 runs, the teenage sensation played what will easily go down as one of the most explosive and memorable innings of the IPL 2026 season. Sooryavanshi blazed his way to a magnificent 93 runs off just 38 deliveries, leaving the LSG bowling attack completely deflated.

His extraordinary knock enabled the Rajasthan Royals to cruise home in just 19.1 overs, winning the encounter by seven wickets. The spectacular victory keeps Rajasthan firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot, while officially ending the playoff aspirations for the Lucknow Super Giants.

LSG’s Remaining Role as Spoilsports

With Lucknow Super Giants now officially eliminated from the tournament, they no longer have a direct stake in the playoff race. However, they still hold the power to act as major spoilsports for other franchises. LSG’s final league match is scheduled against the Punjab Kings on May 23. Should Lucknow manage to pull off an upset victory, it could spell a premature end to Punjab’s campaign, adding one final twist to a dramatic IPL 2026 season.