The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowler Naveen ul Haq once again made it to the headlines during Eliminator of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Wednesday (May 24). Naveen picked a brilliant four-fer for the Lucknow-based team in the clash, but it was his celebration that became a major talking point on the internet.
The four MI batters dismissed by Naveen included the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green and Tilak Varma. However, more than the sensational performance of the right-arm pacer, what caught the attention of the world was his celebration after dismissing Rohit and Green. Naveen celebrated the wicket of the MI skipper and all-rounder by covering both his ears with his fingers. It is noteworthy that injured LSG skipper KL Rahul also celebrates his milestone in the same manner.
Afghan breakthrough!
Naveen gets the big wicket of Rohit Sharma in the #TATAIPL #Eliminator 👏#LSGvMI #IPLonJioCinema #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/vFl43ZPSuW
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 24, 2023
Although many seemed to like Naveen’s celebration, legendary Sunil Gavaskar expressed his displeasure with the act of LSG pacer and went on to school him. Gavaskar said that he did not understand such kinds of celebrations and suggested Naveen not to close his ears but instead hear the applause from the crowd.
“He has had issues with the crowd. You should not celebrate by chucking your ears. This is the time he has got a wicket. He has got to listen to the applause. When somebody scores a hundred also, don’t chuck your ears. Listen to the applause, chuck your hand behind the ears and say ‘hello, now can I hear you?’. That’s how the celebration should be. That’s old me saying this, by the way,” said Gavaskar on Jio Cinema.
Notably, Naveen had been subject to consistent hate and teasing from the spectators after his heated altercation with Virat Kohli and ‘sweet mango’ dig at the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star following the fight. He is also often ridiculed by the chants of Kohli at different venues.
Speaking of the match, despite Naveen’s four-wicket haul, MI posted a competitive total of 182/8 in their allotted 20 overs, which LSG failed to chase down and were bundled out for 101 in 16.3 overs. While MI sailed to the Qualifier of IPL 2023 with the win, LSG were eliminated from the tournament.
