Chennai Super Kings’ Kartik Sharma opened up on his viral gunshot celebration after hitting first fifty in IPL. On Saturday, May 2, the Chennai Super Kings were up against the Mumbai Indians in the second El-Clasico of the season at Chepauk, Chennai. The game saw the hosts recording an eight-wicket win, marking their second-consecutive win over the Indians in the season. During the game, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma came up with their unbeaten fifties to help the Yellow Army chase the average total of 160.

Sharma used 39 deliveries to record his maiden IPL fifty and with that, he became the second youngest CSK batter to record the feat after Ayush Mhatre. As Sharma recorded his first half century, he pulled off the gunshot celebration to celebrate the feat. The celebration was popularised by former CSK skipper MS Dhoni when he made his iconic 183* against Sri Lanka in Jaipur in 2005.

On being asked about the same in the post-match ceremony, he revealed that he had planned it beforehand. Sharma stated, "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 also spoke about his knock in the game, and 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.”

Kartik Sharma no longer a gamble for Chennai Super Kings

Kartik Sharma was roped in by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 14.2 Cr after being pursued by five teams. While the hopes were sky high, returns didn’t match the hype. In five games, he could score only 58 runs. However, the CSK management didn’t waver and doubled down on their belief in the youngster. Even a day before the CSK vs MI game, team’s batting coach Michael Hussey heaped praise on Sharma, and needless to say, the youngster repaid the faith shown in him.

The 20-year-old came up with a crucial unbeaten fifty on Saturday, and though it wasn’t the most thrilling knock, Sharma has managed to give a glimpse into his talent. Even after the game, head coach Stephen Fleming lauded Sharma. He said, “His introduction was tough at the start, and then he had a little bit of time out. He worked hard, and today was a good reward for that. He's a fine player, and he was expensive in the auction, because others see that as well. Tonight it was good to see the temperament, as well as the skill, on show, and he will just get better and better."

Sharma now has 112 runs in his six-game long IPL career, with yesterday’s 54* off 40 being his highest score. Sharma is batting at an average of 22.40 with a strike rate of 125.84.