IPL Controversy: A new ‘trend’ has started among young players during IPL 2026. After performing well or taking wickets, players are celebrating in a unique way by taking out slips from their pockets. Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Akash Singh was seen celebrating by taking out his slip after taking three wickets in his debut match. However, former cricketers have raised questions on such celebrations.
Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu, while talking to ‘ESPN Cricinfo’, expressed his displeasure over Akash’s ‘slip celebration’. He said that does Akash think that he will look cool on TV by celebrating like this? Rayudu appealed for a complete ban on such celebrations and said that players should not be allowed to bring slips. The slip that Akash had taken out from his pocket read, “Akki on fire. Akash knows how to take wickets in T20 cricket.”
When Akash was asked a question about his celebration after the match, he said that it motivates him to perform well. Akash even said that this thing motivates him during the match and he will continue to do so. Former South African bowler Dale Steyn also objected to the ‘slip celebration’ of this 24-year-old fast bowler. Stan said that such celebrations should be stopped. He said that such things were never in trend nor should they be. Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed his displeasure over the ‘Parchi Celebration’.
However, Akash is not the only player to have a ‘slip celebration’ this season. Before him, Chennai Super Kings batsman Urvil Patel and Mumbai Indians spinner Raghu Sharma were also seen celebrating in the same style. In such a situation, the big question arises whether young players should not avoid such controversial statements or celebrations in the initial phase of their career? Especially when Akash and Raghu adopted this approach in their debut matches, and Urvil is also still trying to make his mark in the league.
Undoubtedly, IPL provides a great platform for young talents to shine on the global stage, where not everyone gets a chance to prove their potential. Certainly every player has every right to express his happiness on the field, but being in the headlines because of such controversies instead of sportsmanship can have a negative impact on his future.
Your performance in the game of cricket automatically reflects your ability. You would hardly have ever seen Sachin Tendulkar, who is called ‘God of Cricket’, celebrating in an aggressive manner. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, Kane Williamson, VVS Laxman, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Joe Root, Mahela Jayawardene, these players have had a huge stature on the 22-yard pitch and their celebrations were equally simple. This legendary player is an example of the fact that your performance is discussed more than your celebration on the field, which especially the young players need to understand.
