Ishan Kishan’s viral celebrations after powering Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2026 playoffs, has not gone down well with the Chennai Super Kings fans. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 70 off 47 balls and helped SRH chase down 181 with an over to spare and five wickets in hand.
However, his post-match celebrations, where he is accused of mocking the Chepauk crowd by blowing whistles and animated gestures, has offended the devout CSk fans. However, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of Kishan, and urged the CSK fans not to take his actions personally.
“I want to talk about the super reliable player of the day, Ishan Kishan. But I won’t 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 (friend). These are all sportsmen, emotions are part of the game. Don’t take it personally, enjoy it,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
“Every player here represents India in cricket. A player has come and celebrated in front of you – why bring ego into it? Leave it, enjoy it. If all this is not there, then where is the fun? Where is the drama?” he added.
Ashwin said CSK players and their fans could hit back next season by defeating SRH in Hyderabad but celebrating in a “very respectful manner”.
“Maybe 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,” Ashwin said.
“It’s not easy for another team to come to someone else’s 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, ‘I have come to your home ground and beaten you.’ That’s all. Keep it in mind as fans and as a team – next time go to Hyderabad and beat them there, then give it back,” Ashwin said. “But do it in a very respectful manner,” he also said.
