'I don't understand' - Sunil Gavaskar feels KL Rahul's 'shut the outside noise' celebration after scoring a ton is uncalled for

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul scored a brilliant century against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a group stage match of the ongoing Indian Premier League  (IPL) on Saturday. The right-batter took the crease along with other opener Quinton de Kock and batted throughout the 20 overs scoring an unbeaten 103 off 60 balls. As a result, LSG went on to score of 199 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Soon after the skipper reached the three-figure mark, Rahul removed his helmet and acknowledged the applause from the crowd at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The batter also came up with his trademark celebration with both his hands near his ears and eyes closed. His celebration resembles shutting down the outside noise and criticism. However, veteran Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar who is currently serving as a commentator, feels such celebration from the batter is uncalled for.

I do not understand the celebration: Gavaskar on KL Rahul

“He is shutting down the noise when he is got a hundred you want take the applause. He should do this when he has scored four, five, six runs but when you got a hundred take it out enjoy the applause everybody is applauding you, ” Gavaskar said in a conversation with official broadcaster during the mid-innings break.

“I do not understand, let all the applause come through, not shut it out, you shut it out when you get out on zero, one, two, three, four or something like that’s when you put your fingers in ears,” Gavaskar added while doing commentary during the second innings.

Talking about Rahul’s century, the right-handed batter punished every MI bowler, excluding the senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Rahul also smashed nine fours and five sixes during his innings. The skipper brought up his century in his 100th IPL match in the second last over of the innings hitting pacer Tymal Mills for a boundary.