New Delhi: The now famous ‘chit’ celebration has become one of the most fascinating off-field talking points of IPL 2026, right along with the social media antics of Punjab Kings and some of its players.From Abhishek Sharma’s heartfelt note for the last season of ‘Orange Army’ to Deepak Chahar poking fun at the trend with an imaginary chit celebration last week, the act has gone through every possible phase: viral, entertaining, over-the-top, criticized and parodied.Ambati Rayudu called it ‘rubbish and nonsense’, Mitchell McClenaghan said he was ‘shocked’, while Dale Steyn declared it had ‘never really been a trend’. But in many ways, these moments of theater are exactly what give the IPL its flavor.Because beneath the memes, trolling and criticism, every chit contained a personal story – Abhishek’s thanks to fans, Arul Patel’s tribute to his father, Raghu Sharma’s reflection on his 15-year struggle. Meanwhile, for Akash Maharaj Singh, it was about finally letting go of years of frustration and embracing his moment in the spotlight.Despite being associated with four franchises, there were frustrations and feelings of sitting in the dugout waiting for an opportunity. Rajasthan RoyalsChennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Supergiants.The sentiment was evident when Akash, playing his first match for LSG this season, dismissed CSK captain Rutoraj Gaikwad and celebrated by pulling out a chit. The note read: “Aoky on fire – Akash knows how to take a wicket in a T20 game.”Akash finished with figures of 3/26 from four overs in LSG’s win against CSK, dismissing Sanju Samson and Arrol. However, in the next game, he was dismissed for 54 runs against RR. He claimed a wicket – but this time no chit came out of the pocket.Akash’s coach Jag Simran Singh spoke to the fast bowler after the LSG match, where the 24-year-old expressed emotions he had been carrying for a long time: emotions that finally found their way onto the mat.“He spoke to me after the match, it was a moment of celebration. He had been waiting for his chance for a long time and he was emotional when it came. He had been carrying that chit for a long time.‘I have been waiting for a long time to get my chance. As the IPL went on, budhta raha, budhta raha aso na mala nam’ (He had been waiting for his chance for a long time. As the IPL progressed, he was not getting the chance). I believe now is the time (I believe now is the time),” Jagsimran told TimesofIndia.com.Akash, who was part of India’s squad for the 2020 U-19 Cricket World Cup that lost to Bangladesh in the final, was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 IPL auction. He played just one match this season before being released ahead of IPL 2021.In 2023, Akash was not sold in the auction but was later signed by CSK as an injury replacement. Mukesh Chaudhary. In 2024, he joined SRH. He was then bought by LSG in 2025 for a base price of Rs 30 lakh. Akash played three matches that season, taking four wickets, and spent most of his time on the bench carrying drinks for the team.When LSG – who had retained him for the 2026 season – finally gave him a chance, emotions boiled over as he took the wicket.
10 wickets in an innings
Akash comes from Aravali Cricket Academy – the same academy that has produced cricketers like him. Ashok Sharma is a fast bowler for Gujarat Titans who is known for hitting 150 kmph consistently. The academy is located at Hathod, about 16 km from Jaipur.Akash is senior to Ashok and the two often discuss bowling and share their knowledge with each other. While Akash is known for his swing, yorkers and cutters, Ashok has built a reputation as an out-and-out fast bowler.Originally from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Akash was just 15 years old when he first met coach Jag Simran Singh. Since then, he has trained under them. After evaluating his potential in the early days, Jagasmaran and academy director Vikas Yadav decided to give Akash a chance in a match. The left-arm pacer responded in style – taking all 10 wickets in a single innings.“The first time was in 1 trial. It was 15 years old. Since then he has been coaching me. After that 1 match played in Jaipur, in a tournament related to Jaipur district. He took 10 wickets in an innings.” [I first met him during a trial. He was 15 years old. He has been training under me since then. After that, he played a match in Jaipur in a Jaipur District-affiliated tournament. He took 10 wickets in a single innings in that match]Jag Simran Singh said.“When you came to me, it seemed from the physical ability that it was a slow ball-funk, but a slow ball-funk, worked on landing on his back foot.” [When he came to me, it felt from his physical ability that he was bowling slowly. But he was bowling slowly). We worked on his backfoot landing]. He was a 125-130 km/hr bowler, but he also excelled in the art of swing and yorker. This is his weapon,” he said.“Does practice 10 to 15 overs a day (he does about 10 to 15 overs a day). Some days work on yorkers, work on length and pace in our day (some days we work on yorkers, while other days focus on length). That’s how he practices (that’s how he practices),” he said.
The role of Ashish Nehra
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has worked extensively with Akash Maharaj Singh. The former India fast bowler spent long sessions with the left-arm seamer, which helped him improve several aspects of his bowling.From reading match impressions and the batsman’s mentality to perfecting the yorker’s length and execution at the death, Nehra has worked closely with Akash on multiple areas of the game.“He talks to Nehra regularly. Nehra guides him a lot. He used to train in Bharatpur, but it was too far, so he had to shift here. His elder brother Lakhan has played a big role in his career. He takes care of his food, daily routine and everything. He has done a lot for Akash. Akash is very disciplined, he has kept time for everything.”
