Sports Desk: Ishan Kishan’s fiery celebration after Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium has become one of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026. Kishan starred with a brilliant 70-run knock as SRH secured a five-wicket win and confirmed their place in the playoffs. After the victory, the wicketkeeper-batter celebrated by mimicking CSK’s famous “Whistle Podu” chant and gesturing towards the home crowd, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
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The celebration drew mixed reactions, with several CSK fans accusing Kishan of crossing the line. However, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defended the SRH batter and called on fans not to take the incident personally. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said emotions are a natural part of competitive sport and such moments add excitement to the game.
“These are sportsmen, emotions are part of the game. Don’t take it personally, enjoy it,” Ashwin said. He added that players should be allowed to celebrate important wins, especially in challenging away conditions. At the same time, Ashwin admitted Kishan could perhaps have shown a little more restraint during the celebration. “Maybe next time, Ishan can keep it slightly more controlled, but I enjoyed it,” he remarked. SRH will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 22, while CSK take on Gujarat Titans in a must-win clash on May 21.
