Rishabh Pant does the Dele Alli celebration after scoring century
The first Test match between England and India at Headingley in Leeds witnessed a thrilling encounter, with India’s wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant stealing the show. Pant, who had already scored a century in the first innings, repeated the feat in the second innings, and in a surprising twist, celebrated his milestone in a unique way. Instead of the traditional cricket celebratory moves, such as the traditional jumping for joy or a lap of honor, Pant chose to do the famous Dele Alli eye celebration, a gesture made popular by the English footballer.
The Dele Alli eye celebration involves a hand twisted over the eye in a playful challenge, and it was a surprise to see Pant emulate the move, which has been a hallmark of Dele Alli’s post-goal celebrations in football. The move was met with a mix of shock, amusement, and admiration from the fans and commentators, who were taken aback by Pant’s decision to ditch the traditional cricket celebrations.
Pant’s century was crucial in India’s fight against England’s strong bowling attack. The 22-year-old batsman showed remarkable composure and skill, scoring 114 runs off 146 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara was instrumental in India’s efforts to chase down England’s total of 391.
The Dele Alli eye celebration was a departure from Pant’s usual celebratory style, which includes a lot of jumping and chest-thumping. However, it was clear that Pant was in high spirits, and the celebration was a way for him to express his joy and relief at reaching the milestone.
The move also sparked a lot of conversation on social media, with fans and cricket enthusiasts alike sharing their reactions to Pant’s celebration. Some praised Pant for his creativity and willingness to try something new, while others felt that it was a bit unusual for a cricketer to emulate a footballer’s celebration.
In an interview after the match, Pant explained that he was inspired by Dele Alli’s celebrations and wanted to try something different. “I’ve always been a fan of Dele Alli’s celebrations, and I thought why not do something different today?,” Pant said. “I’m glad it went down well with the fans and the commentators. It was a fun moment, and I’m glad I could bring some joy to the fans.”
Pant’s century was not only a personal achievement but also a crucial one for India’s team. The win gave India a strong advantage in the series, and it was a testament to Pant’s growing maturity and skill as a batsman.
The Dele Alli eye celebration may not become a regular feature in cricket, but it was a memorable moment that will be etched in the minds of fans and cricket enthusiasts for a long time. It was a reminder that, even in a sport as traditional as cricket, there is room for innovation and creativity.
As the series continues, fans will be eagerly waiting to see what other surprises Pant has in store for them. Will he continue to mix things up with his celebrations, or will he stick to the traditional cricket moves? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – Rishabh Pant has shown that he is not afraid to think outside the box and try something new.
