Haris Rauf’s Celebration Sparks Fury After India Clash

Few moments in cricket stir such raw emotion. Yet last night, Haris Rauf managed to do just that. What began as a routine boundary fielding stint during the Asia Cup Super 4 quickly escalated into one of the most debated flashpoints of the tournament.

The Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf is always praised for his fiery spirit on the field. When the chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoed from a section of Indian fans, reminding him of that unforgettable T20 World Cup 2022 moment when Kohli struck him for back-to-back sixes. Rauf smiled at first. Then came the gesture that flipped everything.

Haris turned toward the stands and made what many described as a provocative “6-0” sign, followed by hand motions mimicking crashing planes. The reference was obvious, and instantly, videos of the act went viral. Indian supporters erupted on social media, labeling it disrespectful. Pakistani fans, meanwhile, appeared split. Some defended it as harmless banter. Others admitted it crossed a line.

This wasn’t the first time the “6-0” chant had surfaced. Just a day earlier, during a training football session at the ICC Academy in Dubai, several Pakistan players were heard shouting “6-0” while Indian journalists looked on. That moment was brushed aside as playful. But when Rauf repeated it in the heat of a high-voltage clash, the narrative changed completely.

The discussion shifted from cricketing skills to on-field behavior. Former cricketers from both sides weighed in. Some Indian commentators called it “cheap theatrics,” while a few Pakistani analysts warned that such actions risk overshadowing hard-fought performances. One thing was clear: the India vs Pakistan rivalry had just found another layer of tension.

On the pitch, the story wasn’t any kinder to Pakistan. India, riding on Abhishek Sharma’s fluent 74 runs, secured their first win in the Super 4 stage. Rauf and Shaheen bowled with pace but lacked breakthroughs when his team needed them most. The frustration perhaps spilled over in his response to the crowd. That’s often the story with intense contests. Small triggers, big reactions.

Fans who packed the stadium sensed the shift in atmosphere instantly. Cheers turned into jeers. Cameras zoomed in. Within minutes, clips of Rauf’s act spread across Instagram and X, sparking trending hashtags. “This is not cricket,” one fan posted. Another countered: “It’s passion, let him be.” That polarity is what keeps this rivalry alive.

Few saw this coming when the match began. But by stumps, no one was talking only about runs or wickets. It was about one hand sign that added another chapter to cricket’s most volatile rivalry. And with a possible final between the two still on the cards, the stage for another dramatic encounter has only grown bigger.