New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were officially kicked out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoff race as Punjab Kings (PBKS) completed a double over them, beating them by four wickets at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday. Sam Curran, who starred with a fifty for CSK in the first innings, saw his efforts go in vain but notably claimed the spotlight for his unique celebration.
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and opted to field first, after which CSK managed to post a reputable total this time, on the back of half-centurion Sam Curran. As the two openers, Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre flopped again, Curran, who was only playing his fourth game of the season for the team, piled up 88 runs off 47 balls, laced with nine fours and four sixes.
As he completed his fifty in the 15th over, Curran raised his bat to acknowledge the applause and made a “phone” gesture towards the dugout, probably signalling someone to call him. The incident quickly caught people’s attention, and the video of it soon went viral on the internet as the netizens speculated if it was a dig at his former franchise PBKS for not retaining him in the IPL 2025 auction.
Watch Sam Curran’s famous “Call Me” celebration –
He’s been busy at the crease today 💛
Sam Curran with a 5️⃣0️⃣ and going strong 💪
His first of the season 👏
Updates ▶ https://t.co/eXWTTv7Xhd #TATAIPL | #CSKvPBKS | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/tTDSBe3GoK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2025
Call the ambulance, but not for me!😈💥
Sam Curran’s fiery half-century celebration aimed at the PBKS dugout after they skipped his retention!💛 pic.twitter.com/tsXbZYN8Dp
— 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙮 (@luckycsk7) April 30, 2025
Sam Curran did this aggressive celebration after scoring a half century towards the PBKS dugout indicating that they didn’t call him for retention 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/TgTnTYozaZ
— ` (@FourOverthrows) April 30, 2025
The gesture is widely being called the “Call Me” celebration and is also being associated with Curran making the gesture toward the CSK dugout for not giving him many chances in the ongoing season as he only featured in his fourth game on Wednesday. Nonetheless, Curran and Dewald Brevis (32 off 26) combined for a robust 78-run stand for the fourth wicket and turned on the heat on PBKS bowling, which was able to bundle out the five-time champions on 190 in 19.2 overs.
CSK knocked out
Having registered a victory over CSK in the first leg clash held in New Chandigarh, PBKS made it two in two as they handed CSK their eighth loss of the season and a fifth consecutive defeat at home. Riding on opener Prabhsimran Singh’s 54 and Iyer’s quick 41-ball 72, PBKS reached 194 with two balls to spare and secured an emphatic win. CSK’s home dominance has been belted as their Chepauk fortress has been breached five times by five different teams this season, making it a dubious record for MS Dhoni and co.
Meanwhile, PBKS grabbed their sixth win of the season in 10 games and jumped to the second spot in the points table, with 13 points to their credit. They have lost three games, while one ended with no result. CSK continues to remain at the bottom, with only two wins in 10 fixtures, and will hope to sign off on a positive note by bagging the remaining four clashes.
Although in a losing cause, Sam Curran smacked a quickfire half-century for CSK and celebrated it in a unique manner, sparking speculations of his possible feud with former franchise PBKS. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
