Getting ahead of themselves: Instances when cricketers celebrated prematurely

Cricket involves a lot of emotions and the result of a game can change at any point in time. Players are deeply involved in the game and don’t restrict themselves from showing off their happiness or celebrating when they reach a milestone or finally achieve a goal. However, sometimes a premature celebration can be a cause of embarrassment later on. There have been many instances in the history of the game when the cricketers have regretted celebrating their win early in the game. Let’s take a look at 5 Instances when cricketers celebrated prematurely:

5. Suresh Raina

In an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, Suresh Raina was all set to register his maiden IPL century as he was batting at 94 in the last over. On the next delivery, Raina smashed the bowler for a four and started celebrating as if he had got his century already. Unfortunately, the batsman got out on the next ball at 98. This confusion occurred due to a technical error as the scoreboard at Supersport Park showed Raina’s score was 100, when in fact he had only scored 98 runs. It was in the dressing room that Raina realised he felt short of just 2 runs to complete his maiden IPL 100.

4. Mushfiqur Rahim

#wednesdaywisdom
Never celebrate prematurely
Remember Mushfiqur Rahim’s celebration in 2016 World T20 against India. @BCBtigers went on to lose by a run. #IndvsBng pic.twitter.com/srhYeKy43g

— CricWizz (@CricWizz) February 28, 2018

This is one of the most iconic incidents of premature celebrations done by any cricketer in the history of the game. During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, India was up against Bangladesh in Bengaluru. Chasing a low target, Bangladesh needed 10 runs off five balls when Mushfiqur Rahim smashed Hardik Pandya for two back to back boundaries. Realising that just 2 runs were needed off 3 balls, Rahim started celebrating and rejoicing in the middle of the pitch. However, a complete turn of events took place as on the next ball, Rahim got out. Mahmudullah Riyad got out off the next ball and a runout followed in the next ball, resulting in India clinching the match.

3. Asela Gunaratne

In 2017, Sri Lanka was up against South Africa in the series decider in Cape Town. The visitors needed five runs to win from three balls with Asela Gunaratne at the crease. Gunaratne smashed the ball for a four and started celebrating as he thought that the run chase was done. He even took off one of the stumps and celebrated in a classic fashion. However, his batting partner Seekkuge Prasanna told him that one run was still needed from them to win the game. After this embarrassing episode, Gunaratne came back and scored one run off the next ball and sealed the deal.

2. Herschelle Gibbs

After Gibbs grassed the famous catch #OnThisDay in 1999 World Cup, Steve Waugh went to score an unbeaten 120 off 110 deliveries, to take Australia into the semis. ➡️ https://t.co/f58e405yLY pic.twitter.com/Co1WrmGwTX

— Cricket World (@Cricket_World) June 13, 2020

During a super six match at the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999, Australia was struggling to chase the mammoth target posted by Africa and their only hope left was their captain Steve Waugh. In the middle of his innings, Waugh by mistake chipped one ball in the air and Gibbs comfortably grabbed the catch. However, in an attempt to throw the ball in the air and celebrate, the ball slipped from Gibbs’ hand and the umpire didn’t give the batsman out. Waugh then went on to make an impressive century to steal the match and fix a spot for his side in the semi-finals. Coincidentally, South Africa and Australia were again up against each other in the semi-finals which eventually got tied. However, the catch drop by Herschelle cost the Proteas the World Cup as the Aussies got an opportunity to enter the finals as they had beaten the former in the league stage.

1. Ravichandran Ashwin

In the final of 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, Ravichandran Ashwin and Vijay Shankar were up against Krishnappa Gowtham as their side Tamil Nadu had to score 13 runs off last 6 balls against Karnataka. Facing the first two balls of the nail-biting final over, Ashwin smashed two back-to-back fours and started rejoicing since his team needed only 5 runs to win from four balls. However, Gowtham held his nerves and defended the score for his team. Tamil Nadu fell short by one run and Karnataka was crowned as champions.