It’s often said cricket is a batter’s game as the rules are slightly tipped in favour of the batter. A bowler has limitations i.e., no balls, wides, limited bouncers per over etc, but the advent of the decision review system (DRS) has allowed bowlers some respite with LBWs going in their favour at times due to the initial umpire call. DRS is a game changer and often the theatre of everyone watching the big screen waiting for a decision adds to the drama of the game.
A batter achieving a milestone of 50 or 100 is celebrated by acknowledging those in the ground and colleagues, often by raising of the bat and taking the helmet off. The bowler is also entitled to celebrate a wicket, and often a bowler’s celebration brings theatre to the ground. Here we look at 5 instances of bowlers and their hilarious wicket celebrations.
5. Dave Mohammed (West Indies) – Booty shake
Dave Mohammed. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Dave Mohammed and his rotated booty shake is one to watch. It came in the Stanford final and no one was ready for this. No idea how Dave had thought to do this, but it instantly becomes hilarious once seen. It seems the covering of his ears is a reminiscence of a DJ-style celebration along with the booty shake which he combined all together in a perfectly crafted sequence.
This celebration came in the 2008 final which Dave was the Player of the Match. Incidentally, this was the wicket of big-hitter Chris Gayle, where his side got bowled out for 91. The funny thing about Dave’s performance is he could’ve been the originator of the shoe celebration as one of his wickets involved Dave taking off his shoes and pretending to speak to someone.
Dave didn’t play much cricket for West Indies. It was just a handful of ODIs and T20s where he got 13 and 10 wickets each respectively. Maybe something he saw on TV motivated him to implement a booty shake for whenever he gets a wicket, and the final in 2008 seemed to be the best time for him.
4. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – Chicken dance
Shoaib Akhtar’s chicken dance celebration against England. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Shoaib Akhtar aka the “Rawalpindi Express”, often regarded as one of the quickest ever bowlers had a very peculiar ‘chicken mimicry’ celebration when he took the wicket of Kevin Pietersen in 2005. Shoaib was also a destructive bowler who had outright sheer pace. His long run-up (which many have tried to copy) often started to fear the batter even before the ball was bowled.
Kevin Pietersen aka “KP” had just reached his 100 and Shoaib bowled it short which KP mistimed, which resulted in a catch. Following the wicket came the famous ‘chicken dance’ from Shoaib. This would surely add salt to the wound of KP. In 2019, there was a Twitter chat between Shoaib and KP which Shoaib posted a picture of this exact moment. Another unforgettable moment for Shoaib.
Along with his talent, Shoaib was known for his antics and often mind games when he ran in. At times he would distract the batsmen with his hands while running in and was successful at times. When on a roll, Shoaib was hard to keep out and was a motivating factor for the team. His consistency and x-factor kept him in the side for a long time despite there being other talent waiting.
3. Imran Tahir (South Africa) – 100m sprinter
Imran Tahir. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Apart from being a successful spinner for South Africa, Imran Tahir could’ve been South Africa’s national Olympic entry as a 100m sprinter and would have challenged Usain Bolt for Olympic gold looking at the way Tahir sprinted after taking a wicket. Tahir’s sprint would add excitement to the wicket and match. At the end of Tahir’s sprint would end in a massive pump of the fist in the air.
A look online will show plenty of times where Tahir has used this sort of celebration for a wicket but the common theme is Tahir gave his 100% in each match he played. He gave 100% effort whether it was international cricket for South Africa, or franchisee cricket in IPL, The Hundred etc. His blonde highlights, headband, and roar at the end would all add excitement to the sprint.
Tahir’s key attributes were he kept his economy rate low which was brilliant, and he majority bowled wicket to wicket. This accuracy and disciple made it hard for the batter to use their feet and often he varied his pace to deceive them. Tahir played all formats for South Africa but unfortunately didn’t play enough of test cricket. His ODI and T20 stats were good, and he often was an impact player.
2. Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa) – Shoe phone call
Tabraiz Shamsi. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Tabraiz Shamsi has created a new type of calling device when taking a wicket, it’s his shoe. Like how Daniel Ricciardo celebrates an F1 race win when he pours champagne in his race boot and then drinks from it, Shamsi takes his shoe off and pretends to make a phone call with it. It’s one of those moments where the celebration becomes more memorable than the actual wicket!
Shamsi used this celebration occasionally. Some of the times it has been used include while playing against India in 2019, after he took the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan and another famous time was when he was playing against Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL 2017. A good catch on the boundary prompted Shamsi to take the shoe off a dial a number using the studs to celebrate the important wicket.
Shamsi who is a left-arm spinner is a regular in the South African ODI and T20 setup. A clever bowler at times who uses his guile and accuracy to fetch him wickets. He has a good economy and strike rate which makes him a good purchase for franchisee cricket also. Apart from using the shoe, Shamsi momentarily became a magician where he pulled out a red cloth which turned into a silver stick.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal (India) – Side pose
Yuzi Chahal. (Photo Source: IPL)
Chess pro turned Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has one of the most unique celebrations when he prizes a wicket. The lying down on the ground on his side pose has become an internet meme sensation with many including Jos Buttler replicating it in social media videos. Chahal who never shies away from the fight when bowling has created his niche in the social media world as well.
The celebration actually started out when Chahal was a sub for India and the cameras found him beyond the boundary with him lying on the side, which then became his signature style. On many occasions, while playing IPL cricket especially Chahal has added that celebration style when he takes a wicket. After taking a hat trick against KKR in 2022, he used that pose in his 3rd wicket celebration.
Besides the pose and laughs, cricket-wise, Chahal has delivered good performances for India in white ball cricket and in the IPL for RCB and RR. Often gone under the radar, Chahal’s skill has never been in doubt and always puts his best forward. Chahal over the years formed a good bowling partnership with Kuldeep Yadav. One of Chahal’s best performances came against England in a 2017 T20 game.