S. Sreesanth explains his famous ‘Hayden wicket celebration’ in T20 World Cup after 18 years
It’s been 18 years since S Sreesanth did the animated celebration after picking the game-changing wicket of Matthew Hayden in the 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final clash against Australia. Matthew Hayden’s outstanding knock 62 off 47 balls had almost taken India out of the game. But S Sreesanth shattered his stumps in the 15th over and that dismissal sparked India’s comeback. S Sreesanth was known for doing some crazy celebrations after picking wickets on the cricket ground. That day, after sending Hayden back to the hut, he slapped the pitch three times as a celebratory act.
Every Indian fan loved that but, perhaps, nobody knew what that celebration was all about. After 18 years, he has finally shed light onto that, explaining that his celebration was inspired from American professional wrestling WWE.
"Matthew Hayden looks so big. Most people don't know why I did what I did. So, he got bowled, and what do you do in WWF (World Wrestling Federation), 'three taps and you are out'," Sreesanth said during Cheeky Singles on JioHotstar.
S Sreesanth bowled a match-winning spell of 2 for 12 against Australia in 2007 T20 World Cup
Australia needed 189 runs to win the 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final encounter against India. The opening duo of Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden were able to take on India’s bowling attack with ease but S Sreesanth came like a roadblock. He bowled a brilliant spell in the powerplay, not allowing the Aussies to make a racing start. Hayden’s ferocious innings still kept them in the hunt but Sreesanth managed to get him out when he was brought on in his second spell.
It was that wicket India needed desperately and the Indian pacer got it with a fine delivery. He produced a match-winning spell of 2 for 12 in his quota of four overs as Australia fell 15 runs short of the target. S Sreesanth is famously remembered for taking Misbah-ul-Haq’s catch in the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup, leading India to win the inaugural trophy under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
