Mumbai Indians pacer Deepak Chahar added a humorous twist to the ongoing IPL 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders after mocking the now-viral “chit” celebration during the high-pressure encounter at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. With the Mumbai Indians defending a modest total of 147/8, the experienced fast bowler gave his side the ideal start by dismissing dangerous
KKR opener Finn Allen in the very first over of the chase. Allen, who has been in explosive form recently and arrived into the contest after a string of attacking knocks, looked eager to continue his aggressive approach from ball one.
However, Deepak Chahar quickly outsmarted the New Zealand batter with a clever back-of-a-length delivery outside off stump. Allen attempted a forceful shot through the off side but only managed to drag the ball back onto his stumps through an inside edge. The early breakthrough immediately lifted Mumbai Indians, who were desperate to stay competitive after struggling badly with the bat earlier in the evening.
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What truly grabbed attention, though, was Chahar’s celebration after the wicket. The MI pacer theatrically pretended to pull an imaginary chit out of his pocket and flashed it towards the crowd, seemingly poking fun at the increasingly popular “note celebration” trend seen multiple times during IPL 2026.
The celebration trend first gained attention earlier this season when players started pulling out handwritten notes after taking wickets or scoring runs. While some fans found it entertaining, several former cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar, Dale Steyn and Ambati Rayudu have openly criticised the gesture in recent weeks.
Deepak Chahar says, “No notes needed” 😌
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Aw11jLoww5#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #KKRvMI | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/CB2PMKxCK3
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2026
Chahar’s playful version instantly sparked reactions on social media, especially given the ongoing debate surrounding the celebration style in the IPL.
The wicket of Finn Allen also came at a crucial moment for Mumbai Indians. Earlier in the match, KKR’s bowlers dominated proceedings completely, with Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, Saurabh Dubey and Kartik Tyagi helping restrict MI to a below-par total on a slow Eden Gardens pitch.
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With Kolkata Knight Riders fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, the early wicket briefly gave Mumbai Indians some momentum in what has been a dramatic contest between the two IPL giants.
