Darren Jason Watkins Jr—better known to millions as IShowSpeed or simply Speed—has once again managed to capture attention from the Indian fanbase, this time by turning to an unexpected cricket cameo. The 21-year-old YouTuber, streamer and rapper appears in a viral clip where he takes aim at the stumps, firing off what looks more like a lightning-fast throw than a conventional delivery, while also dropping a shout-out that instantly sparked debate among cricket followers.
What the viral clip shows
The footage appears to have been filmed in the Caribbean. Speed is seen at the non-striker’s end wearing a yellow top with Antigua and Barbuda printed on the front. From there, he watches West Indian pacer Alzaari Joseph bowl from the other end—though it’s not entirely clear if Joseph is indeed the bowler in the scene.
- Speed stands at the non-striker’s end and observes a West Indies fast bowler delivering from off the line.
- The ball seems to be pitched well outside the off-stump as he tracks it.
- After the delivery, he attempts to respond with his own stumping/throw-at-the-wickets moment.
In the next instant, Speed goes for the stumps in a flash and lands what looks like a perfect hit—described in the clip as a “bull’s eye.” Still, the delivery and action are said to be far from legal in cricket terms, with viewers suggesting he behaves more like a fielder who collects the ball and dislodges the bails at speed.
Speed’s shout-outs and the Kohli connection
As the moment unfolds, Speed can be heard yelling lines that lean heavily into his confidence and his desire for recognition in the cricket world. The catch is the specific names he calls for—one of them being Virat Kohli.
- He shouts that he could be “the greatest,” urging Kohli to “call” him.
- He also asks for ICC to call him, along with a mention of the “Mumbai cricket team.”
- He follows up with a direct “Virat Kohli, bruh” message, implying the need for a call-up.
Speed is known to be a major admirer of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kohli is also a Ronaldo fan—something that fans quickly pointed out as the dot-connecting link behind Speed’s confidence and celebrity crossover. However, the clip raised eyebrows because it also implied he believed he was good enough to step into the IPL arena.
Why “Mumbai cricket team” instead of RCB?
Many viewers questioned Speed’s wording. If he was aiming at an IPL franchise, why would he say the “Mumbai cricket team” rather than a specific outfit like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)?
The likely explanation is that his knowledge of Indian franchises may be limited. One factor mentioned is that Joseph has been linked with the Mumbai set-up in the past, which may have influenced the franchise name Speed chose during the viral moment. Another angle is that Kieron Pollard—long associated with the Mumbai franchise and also a West Indian—could be a reason Speed associates the Mumbai brand with cricketing familiarity.
- Speed’s franchise mention appears more connected to his limited familiarity than a precise IPL call-out.
- Alzaari Joseph’s past association with the Mumbai franchise may have shaped the “Mumbai” reference.
- Kieron Pollard’s legacy at the same franchise could also have contributed to Speed’s awareness.
- That’s why many fans wondered why he didn’t say Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) instead.
Speed’s cricket fandom beyond the clip
Speed’s interest in Indian cricket isn’t brand-new. He was present for the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match in New York in 2024, where he made his support for Virat Kohli clearly visible.
- He attended the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup game in New York in 2024.
- He cheered for Kohli during the contest.
- When Kohli hit Naseem Shah for a four, Speed’s reaction was reportedly extreme and joyful.
- After Shah dismissed him and sent Kohli back to the dug-out shortly after, Speed was left stunned.
With this newest viral cricket moment, Speed appears to be leaning further into his efforts to connect with the Indian audience—using playful, high-energy cricket imagery to draw attention, even if his “bowling” style isn’t aligned with legal bowling technique. For now, the clip has done what viral clips do best: it has turned a casual attempt at the stumps into a full-blown conversation across cricket fans, franchise supporters and social media.
