In a thrilling Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday (September 21), India secured a resounding six-wicket foundation,ndation for the chase. Pakistan’s innings, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s 58, faltered in the middle overs after losing the crucial wicket of Shivam Dubey, who was reduced to 171/5.
India’s victory was certain, but now the on-field actions are making the rounds on social media. Amid political tensions between the neighboring countries, Farhan’s controversial celebration, Haris Rauf’s provocative “6-0” gesture after chants of “Kohli, Kohli,” and a heated exchange with Abhishek Sharma quickly went viral on social media.
Sahibzada Farhan’s Shooting Celebration
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan’s celebration after completing his half-century sparked considerable controversy. After hitting a six to reach his half-century, Farhan imitated firing a bullet with his bat, which many considered insensitive given the political tensions between the two countries.
Some commentators and fans considered this an inflammatory act, especially in the context of recent events like the Pahalgam terrorist attack and subsequent military operations. The celebration quickly went viral and drew criticism from various quarters.
Haris Rauf’s ‘6-0’ gesture after chants of ‘Kohli, Kohli’: What did it mean?
During India’s chase, the Indian crowd erupted as Haris Rauf approached the boundary. He was tense after fielding near a field packed with Indian supporters. The fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli” and recalled Virat Kohli’s magnificent back-foot six off Rauf during the India vs. Pakistan match in Melbourne in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Kohli’s extraordinary shot over mid-off and another six off the next ball turned the game around and made his innings one of the greatest T20I performances of all time. Rauf, who was visibly disappointed, tried to ward off the crowd’s taunts by scratching his ears, signaling his indifference.
The controversy escalated when Rauf made a provocative “6-0” hand gesture followed by a fighter plane motion. This gesture was widely interpreted as a reference to Pakistan’s recent claims of shooting down six Indian aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Fans and commentators criticized this action as a deliberate taunt, further escalating tensions on the field.
Heated exchange between Harris Rauf and Abhishek Sharma
Another heated exchange occurred between Indian opener Abhishek Sharma and Rauf. After Shubman Gill hit a four off Rauf, Sharma exchanged words from the non-striker’s end, which the bowler did not like at all. Rauf ran towards Sharma, sparking a tense exchange that kept fans glued to their seats until the umpires intervened and calmed the situation.
Sharma later explained his position, saying, “I didn’t like the way they attacked us for no reason. That’s why I went after them.” Despite the altercation, Sharma maintained his composure and scored 74 runs off 39 balls, leading India to a six-wicket victory. This heated exchange soon became a topic of discussion on social media, adding another dramatic twist to this crucial rivalry.
Suryakumar Yadav spoke on the India-Pakistan rivalry
In the post-match press conference, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav spoke on the team’s performance and the on-field incidents. He praised his team’s efforts in achieving victory, but did not directly comment on the controversial gesture.
Yadav stressed the importance of focusing on the game and maintaining sportsmanship, emphasizing that such gestures should not overshadow the spirit of cricket. He also jokingly dismissed the India-Pakistan rivalry and stressed on how India has always dominated the game against Pakistan.