Criticized, mocked, viral: Akash Singh’s long wait after IPL 2026 ‘chitu’ celebration

Akash Singh of Lucknow Super Giants (Image: X) NEW DELHI: The now famous ‘chit’ celebration has evolved into one of the most fascinating off-field discussions in IPL 2026, right next to the Punjab Kings and some of its players on social media.From Abhishek Sharma’s heartfelt note for ‘Orange Army’ last season to Deepak Chahar mockingly mimicking the trend with an imaginary celebration last week, the act has gone through every possible phase: viral, funny, over the top, criticized and parodied.Ambati Rayudu called it “nonsense and nonsense”, Mitchell McClenaghan said he was “astounded”, while Dale Steyn said it was “never really trendy”. But in many ways, these moments of theater are exactly what give the IPL its flavour.Because beneath the memes, trolling and criticism, each chit carried a personal story — Abhishek’s gratitude to fans, Urvil Patel’s tribute to his father, Raghu Sharma’s reflection on a 15-year struggle. For Akash Maharaj Singh, meanwhile, it was about finally letting go of years of frustration and embracing his moment in the limelight.It was the frustration and emotion of sitting in the dugout and waiting for an opportunity despite being linked with four franchises – Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.The emotion was evident when Akash, who was playing his first match for LSG this season, dismissed the ČSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and celebrated by pulling out a piece. The note read: “Akki on fire – Akash knows how to take wickets in T20.”Akash went on to dismiss Sanju Samson and Urvil to finish with figures of 3/26 in four overs in LSG’s win over CSK. However, in the next game, he was tonked for 54 runs vs RR. He claimed the wicket – but this time no brush came out of his pocket.Akash’s coach Jagsimran Singh spoke to the pacer after the LSG match, where the 24-year-old expressed an emotion he had been harboring for a long time: an emotion that eventually found its way into the chit.“He spoke to me after the game. It was a moment of celebration. He waited a long time for his chance and when it came he was emotional. He’s had that grip for a long time.”“I have been waiting for a long time to get a chance. As the IPL has progressed, he has not been getting his opportunity. I am sure ab time aa gaya hai iska (I am sure his time has come now),” Jagsimran told TimesofIndia.com.Akash, who was part of India’s 2020 Cricket World Cup Under-19 squad that lost to Bangladesh in the final, was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 IPL auction. He played just one match that season before being released ahead of IPL 2021.In 2023, Akash went unsold in the auction but was later signed by CSK as an injury replacement for Mukesh Choudhary. He joined SRH in 2024. It was then bought by LSG in 2025 for a base price of Rs 30 crore. Akash played three matches that season, took four wickets and spent most of his time on the bench carrying drinks for the team.When LSG – who have retained him for the 2026 season – finally gave him the opportunity, emotions ran high after he took the wicket.

10 wickets in an innings

Akash hails from the Aravali Cricket Academy – the same academy that has produced cricketers like Ashok Sharma, the Gujarat Titans fast bowler known for a consistent speed of over 150 kmph. The academy is located at Hathod, about 16 km from Jaipur.Akash is older than Ashok and the two often discuss bowling and share their knowledge. While Akash is known for his swing, yorkers and cutters, Ashok has built a reputation as a fast bowler.Originally from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Akash was just 15 years old when he first met coach Jagsimran Singh. He has been training under him ever since. After evaluating his potential during the early days, Jagsimran and academy director Vikas Yadav decided to give Akash a chance in wrestling. The left-arm pacer responded in a stunning way, picking up all 10 wickets in one innings.“I first met him at a trial. He was 15 years old. He has been training under me since then. He then played a match in Jaipur in the Jaipur district associate tournament. He took 10 wickets in one innings (I first met him at a trial. He was 15 years old. He has been training under me since then. He then played a match in Japur district and. 10 wickets in one innings in that match),” said Jagsimran Singh.“Jab ye mere paas aaya tha, physical ability se lag raha tha ki ye dheere ball fenk raha tha. Lekin dheere ball fenk raha tha. Iski backfoot landing pe kaam kiya (When he came to me, his physical ability could tell he was slowly rolling back to bowl). But he was slow to land his bowling. 125-130 kmph bowler but he mastered the art of swing and yorker, that’s his weapon.” he said.“Practice karta hai about 10 to 15 drills a day (some days we work on yorkers, while other days we focus on length and pace). Aise hi practice karta hai (this is how he practices),” he said.

Role of Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans, has worked extensively with Akash Maharaj Singh. The former India pacer spent long sessions with the left arm, which helped him improve several aspects of his bowling.Nehra worked closely with Akash in many areas of the game, from match simulations and reading the batsman’s mind to perfecting yorker lengths and execution at the death.“He talks to Nehra regularly. Nehra guides him a lot. He used to train in Bharatpur but it was too far so he had to shift here. His elder brother Lakhan has played a big role in his career. He takes care of his food, daily routine and everything. He has done a lot for Akash. Akash is very disciplined. He has kept a schedule for everything,” said Vikas Yadav.