Mumbai: Barring the action on the field, what’s hogging the spotlight this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is also the action off it, and in particular on social media. While there have been numerous fan wars during the league, player banters take the cake.
Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has hit back at Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa after the latter criticised his post-wicket celebration last Monday.
Following the dismissal of Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner (caught in the deep by Virat Kohli for 92 in the 16th over), Shamsi made a dash to his skipper and started performing his trademark ‘bus driver’ celebration dance.
Shamsi's wicket celebrations are no good
— Adam Zampa (@zamps63) April 30, 2016
Earlier, Zampa, who plays for MS Dhoni’s Rising Pune Supergiants, tweeted his unhappiness of Shamsi’s antics on the field after Warner’s dismissal.
Shamsi's wicket celebrations are no good
— Adam Zampa (@zamps63) April 30, 2016
Responding in a clear-cut manner, Shamsi asked the leg-spinner to concentrate on his own form.
1/2 Pretty disappointed 2 see someone who doesn't even know me at all n wasnt even involved in that game making comments about me...
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) May 8, 2016
2/2 ....and I think Adam Zampa shud focus a little bit more on himself and ALOT LESS on me and my celebrations ✌#StartThatBus 🚌🚌🚌
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) May 8, 2016
Zampa, who played in his first match for Pune on Saturday night, liked each of the left-armers tweets.
Shamsi’s celebration arises from his self-appointed nickname of the ‘bus driver’ for his ability, like most chinaman bowlers, to turn the ball both ways.
Hahahaha... Here we go again!
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) April 30, 2016
Game day vs Sunrisers Hyderabad today!
Let's go @RCBTweets #JumpIn #StartThatBus pic.twitter.com/GNQz9UgBRo
Zampa’s response was a little mellow this time.
The Simpsons would have to be one of my all time favourite Cartoons #otto pic.twitter.com/ovolJnoduu
— Adam Zampa (@zamps63) May 8, 2016
However, Zampa tweeted he has no problem Shamsi celebrating, only that he "could celebrate better".
@NIDHILUVGOD @KaneWRichardson didn't say he can't celebrate. Just think he could celebrate better. Do the worm or something
— Adam Zampa (@zamps63) May 2, 2016
The show between Zampa and Shamsi was good entertainment for Australian Kane Ricahrdson, who plays alongside Shamsi at RCB.
@zamps63 respond. pic.twitter.com/27yp87igXk
— Kane Richardson (@KaneWRichardson) May 8, 2016
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann also joined the banter, and tried to calm the situation down.
Just watch the shamsi carry - on , concentrate on bowling mate. Win games and then everyone will respect you #RCBvSRH #warner 92 and win ?
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) May 8, 2016
Warner also made a mention during the match against RCB last Saturday that he was unhappy with skipper Virat Kohli joining in the celebrations.
I was looking at Virat Kohli (RCB captain), I don't think he was too impressed until he (Shamsi) got a bit closer. I think it's a bit hard for a captain to stand there and not go the motions. In my team, if someone does that at 150 off 15 overs, I wouldn't accept that at all. It's a bit fancy, to be honest," Warner had told reporters.
