In an unexpected intersection of sports and music, Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan and rapper Hanumankind (Sooraj Cherukat) shared a memorable moment at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium following India’s decisive victory over Pakistan in a T20 World Cup match. The crossover occurred after Hanumankind delivered an electrifying pre-match performance that energized the stadium ahead of the highly anticipated cricket showdown.
The rapper, known for hits like ‘Big Dawgs’ and his work on the Bollywood soundtrack ‘Dhurandhar,’ had just concluded his set when Kishan approached him with a gesture of appreciation. The wicketkeeper-batter presented Hanumankind with an official team jersey, creating a viral moment captured and shared by the International Cricket Council with the caption ‘Two of a kind.’
Kishan’s generosity extended beyond the gift exchange, as he later delivered a match-winning performance with a brilliant 77 runs off just 40 deliveries. His explosive batting provided the foundation for India’s total of 175-7 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian bowling attack then dominated Pakistan, dismissing them for 114 runs in 18 overs, with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy each claiming two wickets.
The victory marked India’s eighth win in nine T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, securing their advancement to the Super Eight stage of the tournament. This musical prelude continues a tradition established by the ICC, which previously featured performances by Bollywood stars including Arijit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Shankar Mahadevan before high-profile India-Pakistan matches.
Hanumankind, who spent his formative years across multiple countries including India, the US, Nigeria, and several Middle Eastern nations, has built a significant following since his debut single ‘Daily Dose’ in 2019. The artist has also ventured into acting with a role in the 2024 Malayalam film ‘Rifle Club.’