NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings pacer Khaleel Ahmed brought pure fire to the field during his side’s clash against Punjab Kings as he dismissed Shreyas Iyer with a sizzling delivery and then celebrated with raw emotion.
The moment unfolded in the third over of the PBKS innings, just as Iyer was beginning to find his rhythm.
Having smacked a gorgeous six over long-on just two balls earlier, Iyer looked set for a big score.
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But Khaleel had other ideas. Charging in with intensity, he delivered a full-length ball that tailed in just enough to exploit a slight gap between bat and pad.
The off-stump was sent cartwheeling, leaving Iyer stunned and the Chandigarh crowd momentarily silent.
But what followed was just as eye-catching as the dismissal.
Khaleel, pumped and brimming with adrenaline, let out a primal roar in Iyer’s direction in a fiery, animated celebration.
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The raw emotion, the energy — it was a moment that fired up the entire CSK camp.
This wasn’t the first time Khaleel had bested Iyer.
The left-arm pacer has now dismissed the PBKS captain three times in seven IPL innings, keeping him to just 33 runs off 24 balls.
Clearly, he has Iyer’s number.
It was a crucial wicket too, as Iyer’s quickfire nine off seven had begun to shift momentum back to Punjab after the early loss of Prabhsimran Singh.
But Khaleel’s breakthrough and his celebration made sure the pressure stayed firmly on the batting side.
Despite an expensive first over where he went for 17 runs, Khaleel bounced back strongly.
His ability to recover, strike at key moments, and bring passion to the pitch continues to make him a vital asset for Chennai.
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