Deepak Chahar brought a fresh twist to the widely watched “note celebration” during Mumbai Indians’ IPL clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday night. In the opening over, the right-arm pacer struck immediately—removing Finn Allen with a smartly executed delivery—and then turned the moment into something fans couldn’t stop talking about.
Key takeaways
- Chahar dismissed Finn Allen in the first over, delivering the breakthrough that set KKR’s early pressure.
- During the celebration, Chahar teased the crowd with the “note” gesture but flashed an invisible “note,” sparking laughter.
- The “note celebration” trend gained popularity in IPL 2025 after Abhishek Sharma used it as a nod to the Orange Army.
- Chahar’s early wicket helped Mumbai set off the chase plan early, aiming to defend KKR’s target of 148.
- Cameron Green’s spell of 2 for 23 came with two quick wickets, while Saurabh Dubey added 2 for 34 as MI struggled at the crease.
Chahar’s first-over breakthrough and the “invisible note” moment
Chahar’s impact began right away. Finn Allen, who had started with a couple of confident boundaries, tried to go for another big shot on the last ball of the first over. This time, the effort didn’t come off as intended—Allen only managed to guide the ball back onto his stumps, handing Chahar his first wicket of the evening.
What came next drew immediate attention. As Mumbai teammates surged in to join the celebration, Chahar paused and slid both hands into his pockets, building anticipation in the way the trend has become known for. The crowd expected the now-famous reveal, but instead of producing a note, he displayed an “invisible” one—an act that instantly brought surprise and amusement from both fans and players.
The gesture has spread rapidly across the IPL in recent seasons. It began trending after Abhishek Sharma introduced it during IPL 2025 as a tribute to the Orange Army. Since then, players such as Raghu Sharma, Urvil Patel, and Akash Singh have repeated the celebration on different occasions.
However, the reaction hasn’t been uniformly positive. The “note celebration” also faced criticism recently when Akash used it during a match against Chennai Super Kings, adding a new layer to how the gesture is viewed within the league.
For Mumbai, the wicket itself set the tone early in their campaign to defend the 148-run target, with Chahar’s viral-style celebration arriving right at the start of the innings.
Green and Dubey restrict Mumbai on a difficult Eden Gardens track
Earlier in the day, KKR made full use of the conditions at Eden Gardens to keep Mumbai Indians under control. With the surface playing sluggish and the ball gripping off the tacky pitch, KKR opted to bowl first under overcast weather, with the wicket kept covered. The approach paid off quickly as MI were pushed onto the back foot, slumping to 41 for 4 inside the powerplay.
Central to KKR’s breakthrough run was Cameron Green, who delivered a standout all-round bowling effort. In three overs, Green finished with figures of 2 for 23 and also made an impact in the field. He struck early to remove Ryan Rickelton for 6 and Naman Dhir for a duck in just three balls, dealing a sharp blow to Mumbai’s top order.
Left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey provided strong support, claiming two wickets for 34 runs. Together, Green and Dubey ensured Mumbai couldn’t form meaningful partnerships, with the pitch offering grip and uneven bounce across the innings.
As a result, Mumbai Indians were limited to 147 for 8, setting up a must-win contest for KKR to defend a modest total.
