IPL 2026 | 'I had planned beforehand': CSK youngster Kartik Sharma recreates MS Dhoni's 'gunshot' celebration vs Mumbai Indians

NEW DELHI: Young Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma produced an iconic MS Dhoni-style gun celebration after hitting the winning runs against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Saturday. Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by eight wickets to climb to sixth in the points table, while Mumbai Indians slipped to ninth.

After Kartik struck Trent Boult for a boundary to seal the win for CSK, he celebrated with the gun gesture.

CSK legend and former India captain Dhoni had made the celebration famous back in October 2005, when he scored a century against Sri Lanka in Jaipur in an ODI.

In that match, Dhoni went on to score 183*, which remains his highest score in the format.

Kartik, who remained unbeaten with 54 in CSK’s win, was asked about the celebration during the post-match presentation.

"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," Kartik said.

"I was just thinking that I have to stay there till the end and finish the game for the team. Rutu bhayya just told me to play the game that I know. Nothing else. Just go there, play your game and help the team win," he added.

CSK delivered a clinical all-round performance to outclass Mumbai Indians. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and youngster Kartik struck unbeaten half-centuries to complete a comfortable chase after Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmad restricted MI to 159/7.

Chasing 160, Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 67 off 48 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes to register his second successive fifty.

Kartik, meanwhile, brought up his maiden IPL half-century in a composed unbeaten 40-ball knock, smashing four boundaries and three sixes, as CSK completed the chase with 11 balls to spare.

At 20 years and 6 days, Kartik became the second-youngest CSK batter to score an IPL fifty after Ayush Mhatre (17y 291d).