KKR Celebrates Dominant Win, Eyes Fourth IPL Title
Team enjoys private gathering with owner Shah Rukh Khan, bonding seen as key to success
"Achieve it in Qualifier 1." A motivated group of Kolkata Knight Riders players told themselves those things leading up to Tuesday's game at the Narendra Modi Stadium against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mitchell Starc, an Australian, set the tone with an explosive first spell of 3/22, which featured Travis Head's highly sought-after scalp. The Knight Riders advanced to their fourth IPL final as undefeated fifties from captain Shreyas Iyer and batsman Venkatesh Iyer destroyed the Sunrisers.
It is appropriate to celebrate after such a seamless journey to the championship game before concentrating on Sunday's big game in Chennai. Following their trip from the stadium, the Knights hosted a late-night private party at the team hotel. At this event, principal owner Shah Rukh Khan, co-owners Jay Mehta and Juhi Chawla, and Shreyas and his teammates were congratulated, along with the entire coaching and support staff, on a convincing victory in Qualifier 1.
Ahmedabad: Following his team's victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 qualifying round, Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan gestures to the assembled spectators.
Ahmedabad: After his side defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad PTI in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Qualifier 1, Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan waves before the assembled spectators.
In addition, Starc received a cake cutting to celebrate his genius with the ball.
A statement on Cricket Australia's Instagram account on Wednesday stated that Starc had already removed Head five times, and that the batsman had only scored one run off the bowling of his Australian teammate thus far.
Wednesday was also Suhana Khan's birthday. There was cake cutting for that as well, an insider with KKR informed The Telegraph.
Juhi stated at the team hotel on Wednesday, "...must say our players have come back strongly when it really mattered," and that the camp was relieved to not have to wait until Friday's Qualifier 2 in Chennai to secure a spot in the championship.
To determine who will face the Knights at the Chepauk on Sunday, Rajasthan Royals must play Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday.
Juhi continued, saying, "We were actually a little nervous yesterday (Tuesday), because if we had lost, we would have had to play another game. It's what we aimed to steer clear of. We merely hoped for victory and an immediate trip to the championship—a tremendous morale-booster.
Additionally, we advanced to the final in both 2012 and 2014 after winning Qualifier 1. and proceeded to take home the title. I therefore hope that it occurs this time as well.
To put it another way, the KKR camp is feeling composed as they head toward the championship.
Aside from the on-field performance, KKR's success in the IPL thus far seems to be attributed to the kind of camaraderie that exists between the players and the team.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, a keeper-battler, views the team as "family."
"My mother is still unwell. After I returned to Afghanistan, I received a call from KSR informing me that Phil Salt was departing. Gurbaz, we need you! They messaged and called me. "Yes, I will come," Gurbaz replied.
"My mom is still in the hospital, and I communicate with her frequently." I mean, this is my family, too. My mom and my KKR family are two sides I have to take care of. It's challenging and hard. I still have to take care of it.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
