Cricket News

IPL 2026: Rashid Khan Playfully Warns CSK Players Over Viral Note Trend

Rafiq Hasan · 21/05/2026 · 4 min read

The high-octane drama of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is reaching its fever pitch, but that has not stopped the players from sharing some lighthearted moments off the field. Ahead of their crucial final league stage encounter, Gujarat Titans (GT) superstar Rashid Khan engaged in some hilarious banter with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) players, playfully warning them against using “celebration notes” during the match.

This humorous exchange comes just before CSK and GT lock horns at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 21, 2026. While the playoff stakes are incredibly high for both franchises, the focus temporarily shifted to a quirky trend that has taken IPL 2026 by storm: players pulling out written notes and chits to convey messages to cameras and loved ones after achieving major milestones on the field.

The Origin of the “Chit Celebration” Trend in IPL 2026

The trend of displaying notes after a major performance has become one of the defining, viral moments of the IPL 2026 season. It all started with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma, who famously showed a chit to the cameras and the crowd after scoring a sensational century earlier in the tournament. Since then, several players have adopted the unique celebration style to share personal messages, dedicate performances, or express their beliefs.

From Dedications to Divine Messages: How the Trend Spread

Following Abhishek Sharma’s lead, multiple players across different franchises hopped on the bandwagon:

Raghu Sharma (Mumbai Indians): The bowler, who played a handful of games for MI, pulled out a note with “Jai Shri Ram” written on it after taking his maiden IPL wicket against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 4.
Urvil Patel (Chennai Super Kings): The explosive CSK batter joined the trend in spectacular fashion. After smashing a brilliant, record-equaling fastest fifty in IPL history off just 13 balls against LSG, Urvil displayed a heartwarming note dedicating his knock to his father.
Akash Singh (Lucknow Super Giants): The latest player to join the club was LSG pacer Akash Singh. After registering a superb three-wicket haul against CSK on May 15, Akash showed a note containing an inspiring motivational message.

Deepak Chahar’s Hilarious Parody of the Note Trend

As with any viral trend, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to poke some fun at it. That role fell to Deepak Chahar during Mumbai Indians’ clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 20. After dismissing KKR opener Finn Allen for a mere 6 runs, Chahar decided to mock the ongoing trend in front of the cameras.

Instead of a standard high-five or fist pump, Chahar stopped his MI teammates in their tracks. He then theatrically pretended to search his pockets, pull out an imaginary note, and display it proudly to the broadcasting cameras, sending fans and commentators into splits.

Rashid Khan’s “Pocket-Checking” Warning to Urvil Patel and CSK

With Chennai Super Kings gearing up to face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, GT’s premier spinner Rashid Khan decided to take the banter to the next level. During a pre-match interaction, Rashid playfully warned the CSK squad—and specifically Urvil Patel—about their pocket-sized messages.

Rashid jokingly told Urvil that when the CSK batter walks out to bat, he will personally check his pockets for any hidden notes. The Afghan leg-spinner did not stop there; he added that he was even checking Dewald Brevis for notes, accusing the CSK players of being notorious for showing off. The hilarious exchange was caught on video, showing Rashid, Urvil, and several other players laughing heartily at the friendly warning.

Playoff Scenarios: GT Aims for Top Two, CSK Battles for Survival

Once the laughter fades and the players step onto the field, it will be strictly business. The two teams find themselves in vastly different positions on the IPL 2026 points table, making this final league match a critical encounter.

Gujarat Titans: Eyeing the Qualifier 1 Spot

The Gujarat Titans are currently sitting comfortably in second place on the points table. With 16 points from 13 games, GT secured their playoff qualification after Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings in a previous encounter. However, Shubman Gill‘s side still has plenty to play for. A victory against CSK will push them to 18 points, virtually securing a top-two finish and giving them two cracks at reaching the final via Qualifier 1.

Chennai Super Kings: Hanging by a Thread

For the defending champions Chennai Super Kings, the situation is far more desperate. Currently languishing in 7th place with 12 points from 12 games (6 wins and 6 losses), CSK’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. To stay alive, CSK must win this final game against GT to reach 14 points. However, a win alone will not guarantee them a spot in the top four. They will also need to hope that both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) lose their respective final league matches to clear the path for an unlikely qualification.

Rafiq Hasan

Rafiq Hasan is the chief cricket correspondent for The Daily Star, Bangladesh's largest English-language newspaper. Over his two-decade career, he has chronicked the rise of Bangladesh cricket from perennial underdogs to a formidable force in world cricket. Hasan has covered every major ICC event featuring Bangladesh and reported from the press boxes of Lord's, the MCG, and Mirpur. He has a deep understanding of the country's cricket ecosystem—from the Dhaka Premier League rivalries to the politics of the BCB. Known for his balanced analysis and insider access to the dressing room, he wrote the widely acclaimed long-form series "Tigers' Roar: How Bangladesh Changed the Cricket Map." A graduate of the University of Dhaka, Hasan is also a respected voice on global cricket diplomacy, exploring how the sport affects the balance of power in South Asia.