Kartik Sharma already played his part in Chennai Super Kings’ eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians on Saturday. But it was what came after the final ball that got everyone talking. The young CSK batsman pulled off a pointed gesture during the post-match segment, a moment that immediately drew comparisons to MS Dhoni’s iconic celebration two decades ago.
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It was completely pre-planned. Kartik revealed that he decided before batting that this is exactly how he would mark the occasion if he scored. “I had planned before that if I scored today I would celebrate like this,” he said. There was no Dhoni influence behind it, he insisted. It was simply his own moment, his own way of marking a milestone he had been working towards.
The celebration was fitting. Karthik’s knock of 54 not off 40 balls was composed, calculated and determined, much like the man the gesture reminded everyone.
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Connection with Dhoni
It was hard to avoid comparisons with Dhoni. In October 2005, the 24-year-old Dhoni walked out at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium against Sri Lanka and produced one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. Chasing 299, India were under pressure as Dhoni took charge. He finished unbeaten on 183 off 145 balls, with 15 fours and 10 sixes, guiding India to 303 for four in 46.1 overs. When he brought up his century, he celebrated with a gun-pointing gesture that has become one of cricket’s most enduring images.
The knock that mattered
Kartik is nowhere near that stage yet. But at 20 years and six days old, she’s already making her mark. His fifty on Saturday made him the second-youngest CSK batsman to score an IPL half-century behind Ayush Mhatra.
In the context of the chase, his knock was critical. Chennai were 46 for two after Sanju Samson fell early and Urvil Patel departed for a brisk 24. Kartik came in to level things alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made an unbeaten 67 off 48 balls. Both added most of the runs needed as Chennai bowled out Mumbai’s 159 for seven with eight wickets in hand and 29 balls to spare.
A celebration of arms
When asked about his post-match gesture, Kartik kept it simple. It was his first IPL fifty, he planned ahead and made it happen. “Yes sir, it was my first innings and my first IPL fifty,” he said. His family watched from home. But everyone else was watching Chepauk on Saturday.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
03 May 2026 01:05 IST
