Kolkata Knight Riders conceded their first defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season at the hands of reigning champions Chennai Super Kings. KKR were desperate to win their next game and the Shreyas Iyer-led side did exactly that in their last game against Lucknow Super Giants to return to winning ways on Sunday. Chasing a target of 162, the two-time IPL champions scored the winning runs with 26 balls to spare at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR skipper Iyer was in fine form with the bat as he produced a vital unbeaten knock of 38 off as many deliveries against the KL Rahul-led side. The hosts, eventually, claimed an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
Following the win against LSG, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was seen taking part in a light-hearted conversation with Shreyas Iyer. A video of their interaction was shared by the Kolkata-based franchise on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The video was shared with the popular SRK song Koi Mil Gaya from the movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai playing in the background. The post also took a musical inspiration from the song to reflect on the Bollywood superstar’s gesture as it read, “Kya bataau yaaron, yahaan humara dil gaya!”
In another video from the match, Shah Rukh Khan can be heard giving the KKR players a motivational speech, which was quite akin to his iconic 70-minute address from the movie Chak De India. “It’s always good to see when we’re playing like a unit. and my request to everybody — senior players and the international players, you have a lot of young kids in the team, take them along. Let them know about your experience. Make sure they grow into great cricketers like what the seniors are and the international players are. All the young kids, thank you so much,” he said.
Shah Rukh Khan’s moving speech was also shared by KKR on X. “Ye reel sattar minute lambi kyu hai, [Why is this reel 70-minute long?],” read the post shared by KKR.
Coming back to the game, LSG skipper KL Rahul played a crucial knock of 39 to help his side post a defendable total of 161 at the loss of seven wickets. Mitchell Starc was KKR’s star performer with the ball against LSG as he scalped three wickets yesterday.
KKR’s opening batter Phil Salt came up with a spectacular innings of 89 (unbeaten) to earn a much-needed victory for the hosts. The English wicketkeeper was adjudged Player of the Match for his stupendous knock. Having played five matches in IPL 2024, KKR have recorded four wins so far.
