3 best trophy celebrations in IPL ft. KKR
The Indian Premier League (IPL) saw its 17th edition conclude on Sunday, May 26, as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to clinch the title. Notably, this was KKR’s third win at the IPL after the 2012 and 2014 editions.
Over the years, the tournament has witnessed several players breaking into celebrations after picking a wicket, reaching a milestone with the bat, or winning a crucial game. But their best version on the field is seen when they lift the IPL title.
The trophy presentation ceremony witnesses the raw emotions of the players, members of the staff, owners of the franchise, and the fans alike in the stands. On that note, let’s look at three of the best trophy celebrations in IPL history.
#3 Yuvraj Singh’s push-up celebration at IPL 2016
Part of the Orange Army, Yuvraj Singh finally got his hands on the coveted IPL trophy in the 2016 edition of the tournament, when SRH defeated RCB to claim the crown. The team was then led by Australian ace David Warner.
Having switched several franchises over the previous editions, Yuvraj finally fulfilled his dream of lifting the IPL trophy in 2016, representing SRH. Amid the celebrations, with Warner lifting the trophy and the confetti and fireworks all around, the Indian all-rounder was seen doing push-ups near the stage.
Yuvraj then took center stage on the podium when the team members celebrated with the trophy and showed off some moves too.
#2 CSK players singing their anthem in unison on comeback win
After facing two years of suspension from the franchise-based tournament, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scripted a comeback for ages to remember as they went on to beat SRH in the summit clash to lift their third IPL title.
Returning to the league after a prolonged absence, MS Dhoni and company came up with a new anthem that season. They used to sing it in the dressing room to celebrate their victories during the league stage.
After lifting the trophy in the 2018 edition, every player and staff member flocked to the stage and burst out in celebration while singing the anthem in unison. The anthem said: “We’re the Chennai boys, making all the noise, everywhere we go!”
Amid the celebration, a part of the podium even broke due to the pressure and weight applied by the players. DJ Bravo, Dhruv Shorey, and Suresh Raina were partially standing on the elevated part of the stage, which eventually broke as they jumped and celebrated the title win.
#1 KKR players enacting Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup win celebration
KKR ended their 10-year-long trophy drought by clinching the IPL 2024 title, their first since 2014 and third overall. The Men in Purple were phenomenal throughout the tournament as they just three matches out of the 14 that they played in the league stage and both games of the playoffs to eventually be named the champions.
Though the presentation ceremony took very long to commence, it was all worth it for the now three-time champions. After collecting the trophy, skipper Shreyas Iyer invited all the players on the stage, and started enacting Lionel Messi’s ‘slow walk’ as he walked towards them.
KKR’s celebration style was exactly similar to that of Lionel Messi, who, like always, did the ‘slow walk’ to make his teammates wait anxiously before bursting into celebrations after Argentina won the 2020 FIFA World Cup.