NEW DELHI: The now-famous ‘chit’ celebration has evolved into one of IPL 2026’s most fascinating off-field talking points, right alongside Punjab Kings’ and some of its players’ social media antics.From Abhishek Sharma’s heartfelt note for the ‘Orange Army’ last season to Deepak Chahar mockingly mimicking the trend with an imaginary chit celebration this past week, the act has travelled through every stage possible: viral, amusing, overdone, criticised and parodied.Ambati Rayudu called it ‘rubbish and nonsense’, Mitchell McClenaghan said he was ‘flabbergasted’, while Dale Steyn declared it was ‘never really trending’. But in many ways, these moments of theatre are exactly what give the IPL its flavour.Because beneath the memes, trolling and criticism, every chit carried a personal story – Abhishek’s gratitude towards fans, Urvil Patel’s tribute to his father, Raghu Sharma’s reflection on a 15-year struggle. For Akash Maharaj Singh, meanwhile, it was about finally letting go of years of frustration and embracing his moment in the spotlight.It was the frustration and emotion of sitting in the dugout waiting for an opportunity despite being associated with four franchises – Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.The emotions were evident when Akash, playing his first match for LSG this season, dismissed CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and celebrated by pulling out a chit. The note read: “Akki on fire – Akash knows how to take wickets in T20 game.”Akash went on to dismiss Sanju Samson and Urvil to finish with figures of 3/26 in four overs in LSG’s win over CSK. However, in the next game, he was tonked for 54 runs vs RR. He did claim a wicket – but there was no chit out of the pocket this time around.Akash’s coach Jagsimran Singh spoke to the pacer after the LSG match, where the 24-year-old expressed the emotions he had been carrying for a long time: emotions that eventually found their way onto a chit.“He spoke to me after the match. That was a moment of celebration. He had been waiting for his chance for a long time and when it came, he was emotional. He had been carrying this chit for a long time.‘Bahut time se apna wait kar raha tha ki mujhe chance milega. Jaise jaise IPL jaata raha, badhta raha, badhta raha usko number nahi mila’ (He had been waiting for his chance for a long time. As the IPL kept progressing, he was not getting his opportunity). I am sure ab time aa gaya hai iska (I am sure his time has come now),” Jagsimran told TimesofIndia.com.Akash, who was part of India’s squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup that lost to Bangladesh in the final, was bought by Rajasthan Royals at the 2020 IPL auction. He played just one match that season before being released ahead of IPL 2021.In 2023, Akash went unsold in the auction but was later signed by CSK as an injury replacement for Mukesh Choudhary. In 2024, he joined SRH. He was then bought by LSG in 2025 for his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Akash played three matches that season, picked up four wickets, and spent most of his time on the bench carrying drinks for the team.When LSG – who retained him for the 2026 season – finally gave him an opportunity, the emotions overflowed after he picked up a wicket.
10 wickets in an innings
Akash comes from Aravali Cricket Academy – the same academy that has produced cricketers like Ashok Sharma, the Gujarat Titans fast bowler known for consistently clocking speeds of over 150 kmph. The academy is located in Hathod, around 16 km from Jaipur.Akash is senior to Ashok and the two often discuss bowling and share their knowledge with each other. While Akash is known for his swing, yorkers and cutters, Ashok has built a reputation as an out-and-out fast bowler.Originally from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, Akash was just 15 years old when he first met coach Jagsimran Singh. Since then, he has trained under him. After evaluating his potential during the initial days, Jagsimran and academy director Vikas Yadav decided to give Akash an opportunity in a match. The left-arm pacer responded in stunning fashion – by taking all 10 wickets in a single innings.“Pehli baar 1 trial mein mila tha. Ye 15 saal ka tha. Tab se ye mere paas coaching le raha hai. Uske baad ye 1 match khela Jaipur mein, Jaipur District affiliated tournament ka. Usme isne ek innings mein 10 wicket liye [I first met him during a trial. He was 15 years old. He has been training under me since then. After that, he played a match in Jaipur in a Jaipur District-affiliated tournament. He took 10 wickets in a single innings in that match],” Jagsimran Singh said.“Jab ye mere paas aaya tha, physical ability se lag raha tha ki ye dheere ball fenk raha tha. Lekin dheere ball fenk raha tha. Iski backfoot landing pe kaam kiya [When he came to me, it felt from his physical ability that he was bowling slowly. But he was bowling slowly). We worked on his backfoot landing]. He was a 125-130 kph bowler, but he mastered the art of swing and yorker. That is his weapon,” he said.“Practice karta hai around 10 se 15 over ek din mein (He practises around 10 to 15 overs in a day). Kisi din yorker ke upar kaam karte hain, us din length aur pace ke upar kaam karte hain (Some days we work on yorkers, while on other days we focus on length and pace). Aise hi practice karta hai (That is how he practises),” he said.
Role of Ashish Nehra
Ashish Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans, has worked extensively with Akash Maharaj Singh. The former India pacer spent long sessions with the left-arm seamer, helping him improve several aspects of his bowling.From match simulations and reading a batter’s mindset to perfecting yorker lengths and executing at the death, Nehra has worked closely with Akash on multiple areas of the game.“He speaks to Nehra regularly. Nehra guides him a lot. He used to train in Bharatpur, but it was too far, so he had to shift here. His elder brother Lakhan has played a big role in his career. He takes care of his food, daily routine and everything. He has done a lot for Akash. Akash is very disciplined. He has maintained a timetable for everything,” Vikas Yadav said.
