Dale Steyn believes the wave of handwritten “note celebration” moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be fading after LSG’s Akash Singh pulled out another message during Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings on Friday.
Key takeaways
- Akash Singh used a folded handwritten message celebration during LSG’s match versus CSK at the Ekana Stadium.
- Dale Steyn suggested the trend may no longer be relevant after posting his reaction on X.
- Steyn’s comments came after Akash’s early wickets put Chennai under pressure.
- Akash later said the celebration had no hidden meaning and was simply a source of motivation for him.
- LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed he was unaware of Akash’s plan before it happened.
Akash’s note and the early impact vs CSK
The incident unfolded during Lucknow Super Giants’ game against Chennai Super Kings at the Ekana Stadium. Akash Singh was playing his first match of the season and made an immediate difference in the contest.
With the new ball, he struck early to remove Chennai’s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and Urvil Patel, forcing the CSK batting unit to play under pressure from the outset.
After dismissing Gaikwad, Akash marked the breakthrough by reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded note. The message on the paper read: “#Akki on fire – Akash knows how to take wickets in T20 game”.
How the handwritten trend started—and why Steyn questioned it
The practice of showing handwritten notes during matches had first caught attention last season. It became a talking point when Abhishek Sharma displayed a handwritten message for fans while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Since that moment, multiple players have adopted similar celebrations.
Earlier in the same season, Raghu Sharma also used the same style of celebration. Urvil Patel, too, dedicated a note to his father following a performance.
Despite the spread of the idea, Steyn did not sound convinced about its staying power. After Akash’s celebration, the former South Africa pacer took to X and suggested the concept had lost its charm.
“Time to put the papers away. It ain’t trending no more. Actually, to be honest, never really was,” Steyn posted on X.
Langer and Akash respond to the celebration
Adding to the intrigue, LSG head coach Justin Langer said during the broadcast that he had no knowledge of Akash’s plan beforehand. When commentators asked him about the celebration, the Australian admitted he was not aware of it and joked that the team management might need to “look into the matter.”
Later, Akash clarified that there was no deeper meaning behind the act. He explained that it was purely personal motivation and that he would continue using it as long as it helped him during matches.
“It just gives me motivation. There is no reason behind it. Whatever motivates me during the game, I’ll keep backing it,” Akash was quoted as saying.
