Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player Venkatesh Iyer applauded owner Shah Rukh Khan for his influence and guidance to the players in the team after the win against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21. Chasing 160, the star batter scored
a quick 51* off 28 deliveries to help the team win.

By winning in a mere 13.4 overs, KKR sealed its place in the grand finale of IPL 2024 after finishing at the top of the points table in the league
stage. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan was at the Narendra Modi Stadium throughout the contest and even gave a lap of honor to the crowd after the game as well.

In a post-game interview, Venkatesh Iyer told the IPL website: “I think it speaks volumes of the man that he is. We have seen him in the big screen, mesmerising people with his aura. But to not just be an owner of a franchise, but to be an elder brother figure for us, he guides us constantly. I think his pep talk not only lifted me, but for someone like Nitish Rana, who was dealing with an injury and to perform is a really big task. I think you will not be able to hear me now because he is here, but he is a great great franchise owner.”

However, Shah Rukh Khan’s dressing room speeches post-game have also been a constant thing. Notably, KKR have won two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, with the upcoming final appearance being their fourth.

“His presence in the team gets the zest in the team environment. The attitude and approach of the team automatically changes, I think it is the perception over here (points to head) and you see, when the boys came to the field, everyone wanted to chip in with their contribution and everyone delivered,” said the captain Shreyas Iyer to the IPL.