Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan has become the talking point of IPL 2026 after his viral \u201cwhistle podu\u201d celebration during SRH\u2019s match against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Monday. Kishan\u2019s innings of 70 off 47 balls played a key role as Hyderabad successfully chased a target of 181 with one over remaining and five wickets in hand, booking a Playoff spot in the process. Yet, what followed the win\u2014whistles being blown and expressive gestures directed toward the stands\u2014sparked a wave of criticism from a section of spectators, who felt the wicketkeeper-batter was taking aim at the home support in Chennai.<\/p>\n
With the backlash gathering momentum online, former CSK all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in to defend Kishan, urging fans to look at such moments through the lens of competitive spirit rather than personal offence. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said he wanted to focus on the \u201cplayer of the day\u201d but noted that social media had taken the celebration as the main story.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to talk about the super reliable player of the day, Ishan Kishan. But I won\u2019t go too deep into it. A lot is being discussed on social media about the celebration he did after the match. Let it go, yaar. These are all sportsmen, emotions are part of the game. Don\u2019t take it personally, enjoy it,\u201d Ashwin said.<\/p>\n
He also argued that players should not be judged through the prism of ego, especially when celebrations are part of the entertainment offered by the sport. \u201cEvery player here represents India in cricket. A player has come and celebrated in front of you\u2014why bring ego into it? Leave it, enjoy it. If all this is not there, then where is the fun? Where is the drama?\u201d Ashwin added.<\/p>\n
The former India and CSK star further emphasised that he has historically backed both Vaibhav and Ishan, framing his stance as support for talent rather than anything based on regional loyalties. He also pointed to the broader idea that cricket should be a space where skill and emotion are allowed to show on the big stage.<\/p>\n
Ashwin suggested that if Chennai players and supporters want to respond next season, the best way would be through results\u2014by defeating SRH in Hyderabad and celebrating in a similar manner. He acknowledged that Kishan could consider keeping the celebration more controlled, particularly with what was directed toward the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe next time, Ishan can keep the celebration a little more controlled, especially with what he said towards the crowd. I mean, can it be avoided? It can be. But I enjoyed it,\u201d Ashwin said.<\/p>\n
In his closing argument, Ashwin highlighted the context of SRH\u2019s achievement\u2014winning at an opponent\u2019s home ground after a heavy defeat in their previous game. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy for another team to come to someone else\u2019s home ground and beat a team like [CSK]. But they did it, right? After such a big loss in the previous game, they came back and won this. Let it go. A sportsman is telling you, \u2018I have come to your home ground and beaten you.\u2019 That\u2019s all. Keep it in mind as fans and as a team\u2014next time go to Hyderabad and beat them there, then give it back,\u201d Ashwin said.<\/p>\n
He finished by stressing that any similar response should be carried out with respect. \u201cBut do it in a very respectful manner,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan has become the talking point of IPL 2026 after his viral \u201cwhistle podu\u201d celebration during SRH\u2019s match against Chennai Super…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10986,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan Whistle Podu Row as Ashwin Reacts","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ishan Kishan\u2019s viral \u201cwhistle podu\u201d celebration ignites a CSK row in IPL 2026 at Chepauk, with Ashwin\u2019s reaction adding fuel to the debate.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n