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Sunil Gavaskar urges Indian cricketers to create original celebrations rather than imitating European footballers. Will we see unique ones soon?
Mohammed Siraj and Yashavi Jaiswal’s celebrations. (Image: AFP)
The Indian cricketing icon, Sunil Gavaskar, feels that the current crop of cricketers from the country should look to bring out more original celebrations rather than take a leaf out of the books of the top European footballers.
In his column for the Mid-Day, Gavaskar reflected on the Lucknow Super Giants’ Digvesh Rathi and how he was fined twice by the Indian Premier League for his ‘notebook’ celebration that went viral all across social media.
Speaking regarding the fine, Gavaskar agreed to the bowler being fined, especially in the incident involving Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya, where the bowler was in close proximity whilst delivering the celebration. But it was against his second penalty where he was not invading the batter’s space.
Gavaskar also opened up on the influence of European football that has given way to cricketers copying their celebrations, as do the Caribbean cricketers.
Mohammed Siraj has been seen doing the iconic celebration by Cristiano Ronaldo, KL Rahul did the shutting out the noise celebration and many more. Some of the original celebrations done by the West Indies cricketers include Dwayne Bravo’s iconic Champion strut as well.
“Now of course, there’s coverage of the various football leagues all over the world, and the cricketers are copying the celebration style of their favourite footballers. Only the Caribbean cricketers bring their own unique celebrations, and that’s what the Indians should also look to do,” he wrote.
But Indian players have shown some more original celebrations, albeit influenced by the Indian film industry, like KL Rahul’s celebration after hitting the winning runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Nitish Reddy’s iconic pose after hitting his maiden ton at the MCG during the Border-Gavaskar Series as well.
But Gavaskar questions if there will be a time when Indian cricketers will be remembered for their original celebrations, but has called for more of a story behind these gestures.
“Yes, cricket can do with something different and unique, but the celebration also needs a context. Will we see some unique fresh ones before the tournament ends?” Gavaskar concluded with a question.
