Raghu Sharma Mimics Abhishek Sharma’s Note Celebration in IPL 2026

Ethan Arora · 04/05/2026 · 4 min read

The Rise of Raghu Sharma: A Maiden Wicket to Remember

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage where young talent meets the limelight, and the 2026 season is proving to be no different. For Mumbai Indians (MI), a franchise known for scouting and nurturing future stars, Raghu Sharma is the latest name to watch. Making his debut this season, Raghu found himself in the thick of the action during a high-stakes encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium.

With LSG looking dominant and the MI bowlers searching for a breakthrough, the pressure was mounting on the young recruit. However, Raghu Sharma held his nerve. When he finally induced a mistake from LSG middle-order batter Akshat Raghuwanshi, the joy was palpable. But it wasn’t just the wicket that caught the eyes of the thousands in attendance and millions watching at home; it was the unique, theatrical celebration that followed.

The ‘Note’ Celebration: A Viral Moment at Wankhede

As soon as the catch was completed, Raghu Sharma reached into his pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper. In a scene that felt more like a scripted comedy than a professional cricket match, he held the paper up with a flourish. The moment was made even better by Mumbai Indians’ stand-in captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Known for his jovial nature, SKY didn’t miss a beat, leaning in and jokingly trying to decipher what was written on the mystery note as Raghu celebrated.

The gesture immediately sparked a wave of nostalgia and social media buzz. Fans were quick to point out the striking resemblance to Abhishek Sharma’s viral celebration from IPL 2025. Back then, the Sunrisers Hyderabad star had celebrated a stunning 40-ball century against the Punjab Kings by revealing a note that simply read, ‘This one is for Orange Army.’ While Raghu’s note remained a playful mystery on the field, the homage to one of the league’s most charismatic celebrations was clear.

Match Context: LSG’s Powerplay Dominance

Despite Raghu’s individual success, the match was a rollercoaster for the Mumbai Indians. Entering the fray at the Wankhede Stadium, the pitch showed a distinct layer of grass on the red soil, promising extra bounce and carry for the seamers. However, the Lucknow Super Giants’ opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis had other plans. The duo attacked from the get-go, forcing stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav to rethink his strategies early in the first innings.

With regular skipper Hardik Pandya sidelined due to a back spasm, Yadav had to be proactive. He made a bold tactical move in the third over, replacing pacer Trent Boult with the Afghan spin sensation Allah Ghazanfar. The gamble paid off almost immediately as Josh Inglis was caught by Yadav himself. Yet, the momentum stayed with LSG. In a rare expensive outing, Jasprit Bumrah was hammered for 21 runs in the fourth over by Mitchell Marsh, followed by Will Jacks conceding another 21 in the fifth.

LSG Sets a New Powerplay Record

By the time the powerplay concluded, the scoreboard told a grim story for the MI faithful. LSG had raced to 90/1, marking their highest-ever powerplay total in IPL history. This explosive start placed them at the top of their own record books, surpassing their previous bests against CSK and SRH in previous seasons.

90/1 vs MI, Wankhede, 2026
80/1 vs CSK, Chennai, 2023
77/1 vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
74/2 vs PBKS, Mohali, 2023
72/0 vs GT, Ahmedabad, 2023

Strategic Shifts and the Hardik Pandya Factor

The absence of Hardik Pandya was felt throughout the innings. The franchise confirmed before the match that Pandya was suffering from a back spasm, leading to Suryakumar Yadav taking over the leadership duties. While SKY managed to find breakthroughs with spin and the eventual emergence of Raghu Sharma, the sheer aggression of Nicholas Pooran—who was promoted to number three—kept MI on the back foot for much of the game.

Raghu Sharma’s maiden wicket served as a vital morale booster in an otherwise tough bowling performance. As the IPL 2026 season progresses, MI fans will be hoping that Raghu can continue to deliver these breakthroughs—and perhaps keep providing the fans with more entertaining celebrations that keep the spirit of the game alive. Whether there are more ‘notes’ in his pocket remains to be seen, but for now, Raghu Sharma has officially announced his arrival on the big stage.

Ethan Arora

Ethan Arora is a senior editor and long-form cricket writer for ESPNcricinfo. Based in Karachi, he has covered Pakistan cricket and global tournaments for over two decades, contributing to publications such as The Cricket Monthly, Dawn, and The Guardian. His work often explores the intersection of cricket, politics, and culture in South Asia, with a particular focus on fast bowling history, Test cricket narratives, and the internal dynamics of the Pakistan dressing room. Samiuddin is also the editor of The Unquiet Ones: A History of Pakistan Cricket, widely regarded as one of the definitive books on the subject. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he is known for marrying American long-form journalism techniques with the rich oral traditions of the subcontinent. Follow him for sharp match analysis, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes features from ICC events and Pakistan Super League coverage.