Read Sunil Gavaskar views on Naveen-ul-Haq celebration

On Wednesday, Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq made headlines for all the right reasons by writing his redemption story with the ball. 

The bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) received praise for his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Eliminator against Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. 

Pacer Naveen-ul-Haq brought up a unique celebration during the recently concluded IPL 2023 playoffs, taking inspiration from LSG skipper KL Rahul.

LSG pacer Naveen started his account by capturing the massive wicket of Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma in the fourth over, running laps around the MI hitters. 

After dismissing Rohit for 11 off 10 balls, the LSG bowler performed a Rahul-like celebration, sparking a social media controversy. 

Suryakumar Yadav, who was on his way to a tough half-century, was bowled by the LSG fast.

Pace ace Naveen emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Lucknow Super Giants, defeating Cameron Green (41) as no MI batter scored a half-century in the Eliminator at Chepauk. 

Great cricketer Sunil Gavaskar called out the LSG actor during the match commentary on Jio Cinema as Naveen performed Rahul’s signature celebration after taking the important wickets against MI.

“He’s had problems with the crowd. You should not express your joy by throwing your ears. This is the first time he has a wicket. He must pay attention to the applause. 

Don’t chuck your ears if someone else gets a hundred. Listen to the applause, then chuck your palm behind your ears and ask, “Hello, can I hear you now?” That’s how the party should go. “By the way, that’s old me saying this,” Gavaskar stated. Gavaskar’s notable words sparked uproar on Twitter.

Naveen, who had a verbal spat with Virar Kohli, took four wickets and allowed 38 runs for LSG. “I believe they (Green and Surya) had a good partnership at the time, and we needed a breakthrough.” 

“They (LSG) were expecting those 2 wickets from me, and I delivered at the right time,” Naveen pondered during the innings break on his bowling performance. 

Despite Naveen’s performance for LSG, the Lucknow-based club could not defeat the Mumbai Indians in the playoffs. 

Naveen’s bowling heroics were futile as the KL Rahul-less team was bowled out for 101 in 16.3 overs, losing by 81 runs.

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