'Naagin is back' - Dinesh Karthik recalls Nidahas Trophy after snakes stops play at LPL 2023

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 witnessed an unexpected guest mark its presence during the clash between Galle Titans and Dambulla Aura on July 31, which the former won in an intense Super Over. Midway through the match, a venomous snake slithered onto the ground, causing a temporary halt in the proceedings.

This incident occurred just as premier all-rounder Shakib al Hasan was preparing to deliver the fifth over in the second innings. The play came to a brief stop as staff members tried to remove the snake, which was spotted near the boundary ropes. The visuals of this moment quickly spread across social media platforms, and former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, currently a part of the esteemed Ashes commentary panel, responded to it as well.

"The naagin is back. I thought it was in Bangladesh," tweeted Karthik, humorously referencing Bangladesh's iconic ‘naagin dance’ celebration and reminiscing how he disrupted their celebration during the Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series.

The naagin is back

I thought it was in Bangladesh 🤣😂🤣😂🤣#naagindance#nidahastrophy https://t.co/hwn6zcOxqy

— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 31, 2023

Karthik's heroic performance of scoring 22 runs off just 8 balls while chasing 167 had led India to victory from the brink of defeat. Meanwhile, the LPL match ended in a tie after both teams managed to score 180 runs in their respective 20 overs, forcing the contest into a thrilling Super Over, where Galle secured the victory in the super over.

Galle skipper Dasun Shanaka, named Player of the Match, made an explosive 42 runs at a strike rate of 200, including two boundaries and four maximums. The Super Over commenced, and Kusal Perera managed to hit a boundary off the first ball bowled by Kasun Rajitha. However, he was dismissed on the third ball. Another boundary by Alex Ross in the final delivery led Dambulla to a total of 9/1 in the Super Over.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa then took charge in just two balls as he struck a four and a six against Ravindu Fernando, securing victory for Galle in the Super Over.