Kartik Sharma grabbed attention with a MS Dhoni-like ‘gunshot’ celebration after his match-winning fifty for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
Chennai Super Kings’ INR 14.2 crore uncapped recruit Kartik Sharma finally paid off his team’s belief in him with a fifty in the ‘El Clasico’ clash against the Mumbai Indians.
The heavy price tag had taken its toll on Sharma as his inconsistency meant that he had to be in and out of the side until a promotion from his usual finisher role gave him an opportunity to showcase his talent.
KEY POINTS
- Kartik Sharma scored his first IPL 2026 fifty.
- Celebrated with a ‘gunshot’ gesture.
- MS Dhoni had popularised a similar celebration.
CSK stay alive after win against MI in IPL 2026
With their season going up and down, CSK desperately needed the win against a struggling Mumbai Indians.
MI’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as Anshul Kamboj prised out Will Jacks in the second over itself. Ryan Rickelton got a start but could not convert it, while Naman Dhir top-scored with 57.
Suryakumar Yadav failed to convert his start while Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya had a torrid time at the crease. Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton applied the brakes with the ball as MI only managed 159/7.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Sanju Samson early into CSK’s chase but Urvil Patel’s cameo made the equation easy for CSK. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma – who was brought in as the Impact Player – made unbeaten fifties to take CSK to their fourth win of the season.
Kartik Sharma celebrates with a ‘gun’ gesture
After hitting the winning runs, Kartik Sharma celebrated by turning his bat into a gun.
An unorthodox finishing touch to a classic rivalry! 🎬
🎥 @ChennaiIPL complete the double over their arch-rivals #MI in style 💛
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/VVAjldiiC0#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvMI | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/yeBWsXZ6Lu
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 2, 2026
During the post-match presentation, Sharma was asked about the celebration.
“It was my first inning and my first IPL fifty. I had planned beforehand that if I scored runs today, I would celebrate like that,” he said.
“I was just thinking that I have to stay there till the end and finish the game for the team. Rutu bhaiya [Ruturaj Gaikwad] told me to play the game that I know. Nothing else. Just go there, play your game and help the team win,” he added.
The ‘gun’ celebration was arguably popularised by former CSK skipper MS Dhoni when he made his iconic 183* against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Jaipur in 2005.
Kartik Sharma also spoke about Dhoni’s influence on his batting. “Mahi Bhaiya [Dhoni] gave me a lot of support – he would advise me to just focus on the ball and play – to look at the timing of the ball instead of trying to hit hard”.
Kartik’s form in IPL 2026
When CSK bought him for INR 14.2 crores, Kartik Sharma became an instant household name. His reputation for hitting sixes almost at will made him the joint-most paid uncapped player in IPL history.
Unfortunately, that form didn’t translate into results before this match. Overall, Kartik has made just 112 runs in 6 matches at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 126 despite this fifty.
Although he hit three sixes in the match against MI, the boundaries haven’t flown from his bat as expected.
CSK’s next match
In their next match, CSK will face Delhi Capitals on May 5. DC have been about just as inconsistent as CSK in IPL 2026.
Both teams have 4 wins in 9 matches, but CSK have a vastly superior net run rate.
FAQs
- Why did Kartik Sharma do the gunshot celebration?
He said he had planned the celebration if he scored runs. - Did MS Dhoni use the same celebration?
Yes, Dhoni popularised a similar gesture during his 183* against Sri Lanka in 2005. - How did Kartik Sharma perform in the match?
He scored an unbeaten fifty and helped CSK win against MI.
