At the Ekana Stadium on Friday, Akash Singh turned his IPL 2026 debut for Lucknow Super Giants into a headline moment, striking twice in the powerplay and sparking a viral post-wicket celebration with a handwritten message. The left-arm pacer’s impact was immediate, as he removed two influential Chennai Super Kings batters early on, then shared the special note that quickly became the match’s talking point.
Key takeaways
- Akash Singh made his first appearance of the IPL 2026 season for Lucknow Super Giants.
- He took two wickets inside the powerplay, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson.
- After getting Gaikwad out, Akash flashed a folded chit to the crowd with a message referencing “Akki on fire” and T20 wicket-taking.
- Gaikwad departed for 13 off 9 balls, while Samson scored 20 off 20 before also falling to Akash.
- Lucknow’s double strike shifted CSK from 31 without loss in 3.4 overs to 36 for 2 in 5.3 overs.
Two powerplay wickets, one memorable celebration
Akash Singh, playing his first match of the season, delivered a breakthrough in his second over by striking early for Lucknow. He first accounted for CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, then followed it up shortly after by removing the CSK opener Sanju Samson, disrupting the visitors after they had started steadily.
The standout moment came after Akash dismissed Gaikwad in the third over. As the wicket fell, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded chit, and showed it around the venue. The note read: “Akki on fire — Akash knows how to take wickets in T20 game.” Cameras caught the unusual celebration, and it quickly drew attention across the stadium.
Gaikwad’s dismissal arrived when he attempted a pull against a back-of-a-length delivery. He mistimed the shot and spooned up a catch, which Nicholas Pooran completed. Gaikwad finished with 13 runs from 9 balls.
Lucknow’s momentum continued in the sixth over. When Samson stepped out to settle in, Akash struck again, this time drawing a straight catch in the deep. Samson tried to flick a ball off his hips, but the contact went straight to Mukul Choudhary. Samson was out for 20 off 20 balls, and Akash repeated the same celebration—bringing out the chit again and flashing it with a grin.
Early swing in momentum after a special pre-match tribute
The double blow had a direct impact on CSK’s innings. After starting confidently, the two wickets dragged the team down from 31 without loss in 3.4 overs to 36 for 2 in 5.3 overs, with the momentum firmly tilting toward Lucknow.
Earlier, both squads marked the occasion before play with a moment of silence and black armbands in memory of victims of a deadly storm that hit Uttar Pradesh earlier in the week, claiming more than 100 lives.
In terms of match logistics, Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to field first on a tacky red-soil pitch. With LSG already out of playoff contention, the team used the opportunity to hand Akash Singh his first outing of the season—and he immediately made sure the spotlight stayed on him, both with his early wickets and the viral message that followed.
