Ahead of India’s high-stakes Super 8 opener against South Africa, young opener Abhishek Sharma took center stage to fire up the squad with a high-energy pep talk.
While the talk was meant to be inspiring, it was Ishan Kishan’s hilarious reaction that stole the show and went viral across social media.
The Viral “Punjabi War Cry”
During the team huddle at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday evening, Abhishek Sharma delivered a stirring address to his teammates.
- The Moment: To cap off his speech, Abhishek belted out a powerful Punjabi war cry: “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal!”
- The Huddle: The entire squad, including the support staff, erupted in a roar, signaling the team’s readiness for the next phase of the T20 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan’s Viral Reaction
While the team was supposed to be in “battle mode,” the camera caught Ishan Kishan struggling to keep a straight face.
- The Struggle: As Abhishek stepped into the center to lead the talk, Kishan was seen biting his lip and looking away, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.
- Fan Reaction: Fans on X (Twitter) were quick to point out that Kishan, the team’s resident prankster, found the “serious” version of his close friend Abhishek too funny to handle. One user commented, “Ishan simply can’t take Abhishek seriously!”
The Context: A High-Stakes Rematch
This pep talk comes at a crucial time for India:
- Rematch of 2024: India faces South Africa on Sunday, February 22, in a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
- Abhishek’s Form: Despite the fiery speech, Abhishek is looking to find his own rhythm after registering three ducks in the group stage. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen spending extra time with him in the nets to help him overcome this lean patch.
- The Venue: The clash will take place at the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad, with the winner likely securing a direct path to the semi-finals.