Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has launched a sharp attack on Akash Singh’s “chit celebration” after Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in the IPL 2026. Rayudu argued that players should be stopped from using such gimmicks during matches, claiming the practice has no place in the sport.
Akash, who produced a devastating spell of 3 for 26, marked each breakthrough by reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper, and holding it up to the cameras. The message on the chit, as reported, read: “#Akkionfire – Akash knows how to take wickets in a T20 game.” What started with his wickets soon caught attention across the league, with the celebration becoming a fresh trend in IPL 2026.
Several players have since copied the idea, including Urvil Patel and Raghu Sharma, both of whom have reportedly used chits to celebrate key moments and milestones during games. Akash’s own celebration spread quickly online, but it was not long before it also triggered backlash from a number of former cricketers.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Rayudu said he strongly dislikes the growing habit of bringing out notes and messages while a match is still in progress. “I think they should ban this chit business, absolute nonsense. I don’t think they’re supposed to bring chits anyway,” Rayudu said.
Rayudu also questioned the thinking behind the stunt, joking that it must have been planned with the intention of looking cool on television. “I just want to know at what point today he thought, ‘Hey, this will be awesome, I’ll pull this out on TV, and everybody will think I’m cool.’ I also want to know which friends backed him and told him it was a great idea,” he added.
He further described the celebration as something that might not sit well with everyone, but still said it had an element of humour. “I think that’s his manifestation. It may not go down well with a lot of people, but it’s kind of funny and a bit of rubbish,” Rayudu said.
Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan also criticised the trend and suggested younger players should place more emphasis on their on-field impact rather than dramatic gestures. “I’m actually surprised with some of this generation coming through. You put your fingers up after your first real IPL performance when people have only just learnt your name. I find it all very fascinating,” McClenaghan said.
Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn added his voice on social media, saying the celebration style no longer feels engaging. “Time to put the papers away. It ain’t trending anymore. Actually, to be honest, it never really was,” Steyn posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Akash, however, defended the celebration and insisted the chit is simply a source of confidence for him during matches. “It just gives me motivation. There is no special reason behind it. Whatever motivates me during the game, I’ll keep backing it,” Akash said in a video released by the IPL on X.
In the match itself, the left-arm pacer played a key role in Lucknow’s success by striking early and dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Urvil Patel. Lucknow then chased 188 comfortably, with Mitchell Marsh driving the chase using an explosive 90 off 38 balls.
