![\"\u2018It](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131124481,imgsize-34372,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/akash-singh.jpg\" "\\"<p>Akash")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAkash Singh with his viral note celebration. (IPL Photo)<\/p>\n
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NEW DELHI: Akash Singh lit up IPL 2026 on Friday with both ball and emotion, producing a memorable three-wicket spell – 3\/26 in 4 overs – for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings<\/a> before explaining the note that turned his celebration viral.Playing his first game of the season, the left-arm pacer struck three times, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad<\/a>, Sanju Samson<\/a> and Urvil Patel. After every wicket, he pulled out a folded chit from his pocket and flashed it<\/a> around the stadium, sparking curiosity.WATCH:<\/span>\u2018It motivates me during the game\u2019<\/span>Akash later revealed there was no hidden message \u2014 it was simply self-motivation.\u201cI know I express myself well and people tell me that too. But honestly, it\u2019s about the environment you create around yourself. I spend time understanding how champions think and how champions work hard,\u201d Akash told broadcasters during the mid-innings interview.He added that the note contained words meant to fuel his own confidence.\u201cOn that note I had written things like \u2018Akki knows how to take wickets in T20 cricket\u2019. It just motivates me during the game. Sometimes these things work, sometimes they don\u2019t, but if something helps me stay motivated and helps me perform better, then I\u2019m willing to do it,\u201d Akash said.The celebration reflected the emotion of a player finally getting his chance after waiting all season.\u2018You should come to dominate\u2019<\/span>Akash said his mindset was built around attacking the biggest names.\u201cMy mindset is always about getting big wickets because when you come to the IPL, you shouldn\u2019t just come to play \u2014 you should come to dominate,\u201d he said.The 24-year-old said his preparation focused equally on skill and mentality.\u201cYou need to stay one step ahead skill-wise, but at the same time the mental side matters a lot. If you don\u2019t dominate mentally in this game, you can\u2019t move forward consistently,\u201d he added.Having not featured all season, Akash said the performance was a reward for persistence.\u201cWhen you are not playing regularly in the IPL, you have to keep pushing yourself constantly. Throughout the season and even in the off-season, I kept working hard,\u201d he concluded.<\/div>\n