Indian captain Shreyas Iyer grabbed attention with a unique celebration after scoring a quickfire half-century in the fifth T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1, 2026. The right-hander marked the milestone with a gesture that has a special connection to the host country.
While Iyer’s aggressive batting helped India recover from an early collapse, his celebration became another talking point among viewers. The gesture, referred to as the “Manawatu celebration” during the commentary, has an interesting story behind its popularity in New Zealand.
Shreyas Iyer performs unique Mana Wave celebration after completing fifty
Iyer brought up his half-century in the 12th over of India’s innings against Nathan Smith. The Indian skipper received a high full toss directed towards his body and cleverly flicked it towards deep backward square leg for a boundary. The four took him to his fifty in just 22 deliveries. After reaching the milestone, Iyer performed a distinctive hand and arm gesture that the on-air commentators called the ‘Manawatu celebration’.
The gesture is associated with New Zealand’s popular Mana Wave, which involves making a wave-like or throwing motion with the hand and arm, often accompanied by a cheerful sound. The Mana Wave gained popularity through New Zealand road worker Raana Te Hau, who used the gesture to greet and entertain drivers stuck in traffic. His cheerful interactions caught people’s attention, and videos of him performing the move later went viral on social media. The celebration gradually became widely recognised across New Zealand.
Here’s the video:
Half-century secured, Manuka Honey served! 🍯
Shreyas Iyer brings a little Kiwi sweetness to his celebration! 💙
Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand 5th T20I, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #SonyVizha #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wDeBl5e7k2
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 1, 2026
Also READ: NZ vs IND 5th T20I: Ishan Kishan joins an elite list after surpassing Suryakumar Yadav
India post 191/8 after early collapse in 5th T20I
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first. India suffered an early setback as Adam Milne dismissed Abhishek Sharma for one and Sanju Samson for four, reducing the visitors to 19/2. Ishan Kishan and Iyer then counterattacked with a 93-run partnership off just 43 deliveries. Kishan scored 61 off 32 balls, while Iyer contributed 50 off 23 deliveries.
Naman Dhir added 33 runs, and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with 22 as India finished their 20 overs at 191/8. Milne was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming four wickets for 19 runs. New Zealand began their chase of 192 but lost Finn Allen early for two runs after Arshdeep Singh dismissed him, with Kishan completing the catch behind the stumps.
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