Cricket is frequently referred to be a batter’s game because the rules are slightly biased in their favor.
The introduction of the decision review system (DRS) has given bowlers some relief, with LBWs occasionally falling in their favor due to the initial umpire call. A bowler still has constraints, such as no balls, wides, and a limited number of bouncers each over. DRS is a game-changer, and it frequently adds to the intensity of the game as everyone is waiting for a verdict while watching the big screen.
When a batter reaches a milestone of 50 or 100, they honor the spectators and their teammates by lifting their bat and removing their helmet, respectively. A wicket can be celebrated by the bowler as well, and frequently this adds drama to the game. Here, we take a look at 5 examples of amusing wicket celebrations by bowlers.
1. Dave Mohammed (West Indies) – Booty shake
You should check out Dave Mohammed‘s rotating booty shake. Nobody was prepared when it occurred during the Stanford final. I don’t know how Dave came up with this idea, but when you see it, it’s laugh out loud funny. He must have paired the booty shake with a DJ-style party to create a precisely timed sequence because it appears like his ears are covered.
This occasion was the 2008 championship game, in which Dave won Player of the Match. By the way, it was here where slugger Chris Gayle’s team was dismissed for 91 runs. The hilarious aspect of Dave’s performance is that he might have invented the shoe celebration because one of his wickets had him pulling off his shoes and acting as though he was speaking to someone.
Dave only made a few cricket appearances for the West Indies. He only had a few ODIs and T20s, winning 13 and 10 wickets each in those games. The final in 2008 seemed to be the finest opportunity for him to use a booty shake that he may have adopted as a result of something he watched on television.
2. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – Chicken dance
Shoaib Akhtar, often known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” who is frequently cited as one of the fastest bowlers in history, celebrated by imitating a chicken when he dismissed Kevin Pietersen in 2005. Shoaib was a devastating bowler with uncanny quickness. Even before the ball was bowled, his long run-up, which many have attempted to imitate, frequently made the batsman nervous.
When Shoaib bowled it short, Kevin Pietersen, also known as “KP,” mistimed it and took a catch after reaching his century. After the wicket, Shoaib performed his well-known “chicken dance.” This would undoubtedly aggravate KP’s injury. In 2019, Shoaib and KP had a Twitter conversation during which Shoaib tweeted a photo capturing this very moment. For Shoaib, another wonderful occasion.
Shoaib was well renowned for his talent, but he was also notorious for his pranks and frequent mind tricks when he raced in. He sometimes tried to dash in while the batsmen were distracted by his hands, and he occasionally succeeded. Shoaib was a team motivator and difficult to keep out when he was on a roll. Although there was other talent waiting, his reliability and x-factor kept him in the side for a while.
3. Imran Tahir (South Africa) – 100m sprinter
Imran Tahir, in addition to becoming a successful spinner for South Africa, also had the potential to represent his country at the Olympics in the 100-meter sprint, where he likely would have faced off against Usain Bolt for the gold medal. Tahir’s sprint would spice up the game and the wicket. Tahir’s race came to a conclusion with a powerful fist pump in the air.
If you go online, you’ll find numerous instances where Tahir has utilized this celebration to mark a wicket, but Tahir always gave 110% in every game he played. He gave it his all, whether it was playing franchise cricket in the IPL, The Hundred, or international cricket for South Africa. His headband, blonde highlights, and yell at the finish would all heighten the intensity of the sprint.bn
Tahir’s two most notable qualities were his outstanding management of his economy rate and his preference for bowling wicket to wicket. The batter found it difficult to use their feet because of his accuracy and discipline, and he frequently changed his pace to trick them. Tahir played all types of cricket for South Africa, but regrettably not enough test cricket. He frequently had an impact on games and had good ODI and T20 statistics.
4. Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa) – Shoe phone call
With his shoe, Tabraiz Shamsi has invented a new kind of calling tool when taking a wicket. Shamsi pulls off his shoe and pretends to make a phone conversation, much like how Daniel Ricciardo celebrates an F1 race victory by pouring champagne into his race boot and then drinking from it. It’s one of those instances where the celebration overshadows the actual wicket.
Shamsi occasionally engaged in this festivity. When he was playing against India in 2019 and had just dismissed Shikhar Dhawan, he used it. Another notable instance occurred in the CPL in 2017 when he was facing the Jamaica Tallawahs. Shamsi celebrated the crucial wicket by taking off his shoe and dialing a number with the studs after making a wonderful catch on the boundary.
Left-arm spinner Shamsi is a fixture in the South African ODI and T20 lineup. A shrewd bowler who occasionally succeeds in taking wickets with his cunning and accuracy. He would be a wise investment for franchise cricket as well because of his strong economy and strike rate. In addition to using the shoe, Shamsi briefly assumed the role of a magician by pulling out a red fabric that transformed into a silver staff.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal (India) – Side pose
Yuzvendra Chahal, a former professional chess player who is now an Indian cricketer, celebrates his wickets in one of the most unusual ways. Many people, including Jos Buttler, have imitated the side-lying stance in social media videos, which has become a popular online meme. Chahal, who never backs down from a challenge when bowling, has carved out a place for himself in the social media sphere as well.
Chahal’s famous lying-on-the-side pose was first observed when he was a substitute for India and was discovered beyond the boundary. This is when the celebration really began. Chahal has often incorporated that celebratory style after he takes a wicket while playing IPL cricket, in particular. He adopted that position for his third wicket celebration after achieving a hat trick against KKR in 2022.
Aside from the pose and smiles, Chahal has played well for India in white ball cricket and in the IPL for RCB and RR. Chahal is frequently overlooked, but his talent has never been in question, and he consistently gives it his all. With Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal has developed a strong bowling tandem over time. In a 2017 T20 match against England, Chahal put on one of his greatest performances.
India
