Watch: Vaishanvi Sharma decode her ‘Handshake-Hug’ celebration
In the series against Sri Lanka, 20-year-old Vaishnavi Sharma has captured hearts with her unique "Handshake-Hug" celebration alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, following a historic 5-0 whitewash.
Last Updated: 05.01 PM, Dec 31, 2025
In the high-octane world of international cricket, legends are often born through a single delivery or a match-winning knock. But for 20-year-old Vaishnavi Sharma, her arrival on the big stage has been marked by something far more charismatic: a choreographed "Handshake-Hug" celebration with captain Harmanpreet Kaur that has officially broken the Indian sports internet.
As India wrapped up a historic 5-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka yesterday, the talk of the town wasn't just the scoreline, but the infectious energy of the Gwalior-born left-arm spinner who has turned every wicket into a theatrical masterpiece.
The anatomy of the celebration
The celebration, which went viral during the fourth T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium, is a multi-layered routine. After a wicket falls, Vaishnavi sprints toward her captain. The duo performs a rhythmic sequence: a high-five, a double fist-pump, a "flying wings" gesture with their arms, and finally, a warm, genuine hug.
Revealing the secret behind the move today, Vaishnavi explained:
"We were in a team huddle before the match, and I told 'Harry Di' (Harmanpreet) that I wanted to do something special to mark my wickets. I asked if she’d join me in a routine, and she just laughed and said, 'Take the wicket first, then we’ll see!' When I finally got the breakthrough, she was the first one running toward me to start the steps."
From "Ben Stokes" to viral fame
While the choreographed joy has won hearts, Vaishnavi’s path to viral fame had a slightly more "fiery" start earlier in the series.
During the fourth match, a missed run-out opportunity led to a classic "Ben Stokes" moment, a slip of the tongue involving an expletive that was caught clearly on the stump camera.
Realising her mistake instantly, the youngster cheekily covered her mouth with a "oops" expression that garnered millions of views. It was this mix of raw competitive fire and innocent charm that has made her a fan favourite overnight.
A rise fretold by the stars
Behind the celebrations lies a story of immense sacrifice. Vaishnavi’s father, Dr. Narendra Sharma, an astrologer with a PhD, famously read her kundali (horoscope) when she was born and predicted she would either be a doctor or a world-renowned athlete.
To fund her training, the family reportedly took a ₹25 lakh bond on their house, a gamble that is now paying off in blue jerseys.
Despite being surprisingly overlooked in the WPL 2026 Auction just weeks ago, Vaishnavi has let her performance do the talking. She finished the Sri Lanka series as the joint-highest wicket-taker, maintaining a staggering economy rate of 5.73 on her debut tour.
Predictions: The road to the 2026 World Cup
With the T20 World Cup in England looming in June 2026, Vaishnavi Sharma has effectively "kicked the door down" for selection.
As the Indian team disperses for the upcoming domestic season, one thing is certain: fans will be tuning in not just for the wickets, but for the "Vaishnavi Vibe" that has brought a fresh, joyful spark to the Women in Blue.