Indian Premier League (IPL) never fails to deliver moments of brilliance, and the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was no exception. Amidst a nail-biting six-run victory for RR, Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as the star of the night with his stellar bowling performance and a celebration that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s ‘Pushpa’ moment

Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul was not just a game-changer; it was a spectacle. After dismissing key CSK players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, Hasaranga celebrated in style with the iconic ‘Jhukega Nahi’ pose from the blockbuster South Indian movie ‘Pushpa: The Rise.’ The celebration, characterized by its defiant energy, resonated with fans in the stadium and added a layer of entertainment to the match.

When asked about his unique celebration, Hasaranga revealed his love for South Indian cinema. “I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film,” he shared during the post-match interview. His tribute to Pushpa not only showcased his personality but also bridged the gap between cricket and pop culture.

Hasaranga’s bowling masterclass

Hasaranga’s bowling figures of 4/35 were instrumental in Rajasthan Royals defending their total of 182 runs. The leg-spinner struck gold with his very first delivery, dismissing Rahul Tripathi. He followed it up with wickets of Dube, Vijay Shankar, and CSK skipper Gaikwad—three of which came immediately after conceding sixes. His ability to bounce back under pressure demonstrated his skill and temperament.

Among his four dismissals, Hasaranga cherished Gaikwad’s wicket the most. “Ruturaj Gaikwad is a really good player; he batted very well. At the end of the innings, I got him out with Riyan Parag taking a brilliant catch,” Hasaranga added. This crucial breakthrough tilted the game in Rajasthan’s favour during a tense phase.

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Rajasthan Royals break their losing streak

RR’s first win of IPL 2025 came after two consecutive losses. Batting first at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, RR posted a competitive total of 182/9, thanks to Nitish Rana‘s explosive knock of 81 off just 36 balls. Despite losing early wickets, Rana’s aggressive approach ensured RR had enough on the board to challenge CSK.

In response, CSK fell short by six runs despite valiant efforts from Gaikwad (63 off 44 balls) and MS Dhoni. Dhoni brought hope in the final overs but was caught off Shimron Hetmyer’s brilliant fielding effort in the deep. Jofra Archer also played a key role for RR with an economical spell upfront.

While Hasaranga was undoubtedly the star performer, Rajasthan Royals’ bowling unit worked cohesively to defend their total. Archer set the tone with a wicket-maiden in the powerplay, while Maheesh Theekshana complemented Hasaranga in controlling the middle overs. “We have a really good bowling attack, Myself and Maheesh have different roles to play—sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle,” Hasaranga concluded.

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