What began as a spontaneous celebration by youngsters in the IPL has now turned into one of cricket’s biggest viral trends — players pulling handwritten notes out of their pockets after scoring runs or taking wickets. The “note celebration” has especially become popular among younger cricketers, who use the moment not just to celebrate but also to showcase personality, humour and confidence on the field.
The trend is believed to have properly started during the 2025 Indian Premier League when Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Abhishek Sharma unveiled a handwritten note after smashing a sensational century against Punjab Kings. His note, dedicated to SRH fans and the “Orange Army”, immediately caught attention on television and social media. What looked like a simple emotional gesture soon became a full-fledged trend among young cricketers.
By IPL 2026, several players had begun carrying folded pieces of paper in their pockets before matches. Some notes carried motivational messages, some were tributes to family members or fans, while others featured humorous one-liners meant purely for entertainment and social-media buzz.
One of the most talked-about examples came from Akash Singh during Lucknow Super Giants’ clash against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. After taking crucial wickets, the left-arm pacer pulled out a note that read: “Akki knows how to take wickets in T20 cricket.” The cheeky self-praise instantly went viral online and fans loved the confidence and comic timing behind it.
This humorous side is precisely why the trend has exploded among youngsters. Cricket’s new generation has grown up in the era of reels, memes and viral moments. Celebrations are no longer just about raising the bat or punching the air; they are now opportunities to create memorable content and establish a personal brand. A funny one-liner on a note can circulate across Instagram and X within minutes, often becoming as popular as the performance itself.
Many young players are now using these notes almost like footballers use choreographed celebrations. Some cricketers have written lines teasing critics, others have penned inside jokes with teammates, while a few have simply written quirky phrases aimed at entertaining fans. The unpredictability of what the note will say next has become part of the excitement.
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Interestingly, the roots of the concept can be linked to earlier celebrations in cricket. Former West Indies pacer Kesrick Williams had popularised the famous “notebook celebration”, where he pretended to write a batter’s name in an imaginary notebook after dismissing them. That celebration became globally famous after Virat Kohli famously mocked it during India’s tour of the West Indies in 2019 after attacking Williams with the bat. However, there is a major difference between the two. Kesrick’s notebook act was symbolic, while the modern IPL trend involves actual handwritten notes physically carried by players into matches.
The rise of franchise cricket, social media engagement and broadcast storytelling has helped the celebration become mainstream. Cameras now immediately zoom into players’ pockets after milestones, anticipating another viral message. Broadcasters, franchises and fans all eagerly wait to see what witty line or emotional message will appear next.
For many youngsters, the handwritten note is more than just a celebration. It is a reflection of cricket’s changing culture: expressive, entertaining and deeply connected to the digital generation.
BY JOE WILLIAMS
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