IPL 2025: 'Same Same, But Different' - Fans Spot Kuldeep Yadav Mimicking Lionel Messi's Iron Man Celebration

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Kuldeep Yadav could not hide his love for football on the cricket field as the Indian spinner mimicked Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi's Iron Man celebration during IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday (April 16).

Kuldeep, who is a big football fanatic and also a fan of FC Barcelona, copied the Blaugrana great's recent celebrations when he dismissed RR opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the thrilling contest that ended in a tied and was decided in the super over at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

The left-arm Indian wrist-spinner showcased his celebration skills after removing Jaiswal for 51 off 37 balls in the 14th over and the wicket proved crucial in DC's defence of 188.

With a flighted delivery, Kuldeep enticed Jaiswal into a lofted shot, but the ball was safely pouched at the long on boundary by Mitchell Starc, who happened to be the difference in the end of the contest. Soon after Jaiswal's dismissal, Kuldeep celebrated with a move inspire by Messi.

Messi celebrated in this manner during Inter Miami's MLS clash last season. After scoring an equalizer against Charlotte FC, the Argenine star forward placed his hands by his side, palms down, and began to raise his heels - for liftoff just like Iron Man, a celebration which was mimicked by one of his ardent fans in Kuldeep.

Messi had in fact celebrated drawing inspiration from Marvel characters since his first season with Inter Miami in 2023 and carried it forward into the 2024 season. He has earlier celebrated goals mimicking Thor, Black Panther and Spider-Man.

This is not the first instance of a cricketer copying a football player's celebration as Messi's rival Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark Sui celebration as been popular among several stars, including India and Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj, who mimicks the celebration till date when he gets a wicket.

Speaking of Kuldeep's love for Messi, the Indian spinner also suggested skipper Rohit Sharma to collect the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy the way the Argentina football great went to collect the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2022.