Star India Opener Shikhar Dhawan is a complete entertainer on the field. Be it with his batting performances or antics while fielding, the Delhi-lad never fails to please his fans. Dhawan’s “thigh-five” celebration is widely popular among fans. He usually does it after taking a catch in the outfield. Even after winning his first toss as India captain, he had performed the infamous celebration.
Two years ago, in a chat with Indian women cricketers Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, on their ‘Double Trouble’ YouTube show, Dhawan had revealed the inspiration behind his iconic celebration. Dhawan said that he first saw the celebration in Kabaddi games and enjoyed how raiders reacted after they scored a point. “It was some sort of manly thing and I immediately got hooked to the celebration.”, said Dhawan.
I have been fined twice for this celebration: Sajid Khan
Apart from Shikhar, Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan does the ‘thigh-five’ celebration as well. However Sajid has recently explained that his style is not a copy of Shikhar Dhawan’s celebration and that he has been doing it since he was in school. “Everyone has their own style and people say that I copy Shikhar Dhawan’s celebration. I have been doing this celebration since school cricket.”, Sajid said while speaking to the media.
Sajid Khan: "Everyone has their own style and people say that I copy Shikhar Dhawan’s celebration. I have been doing this celebration since school cricket. Just to bring this under your notice that I have been fined twice for this celebration in first-class cricket."#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/DKOXXQeChw
— CricMady (@CricMady) February 20, 2022
Sajid also disclosed that he was fined twice in first-class cricket for performing the ‘thigh-five’ celebration. “Just to bring this under your notice that I have been fined twice for this celebration in first-class cricket.”
Sajid is a member of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming home series against Australia. Sajid made his Test debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in 2021. He has taken 18 wickets in four Tests so far.