The Cricket Association of Bengal is in the dark about Kolkata Knight Riders’ plans to hold celebrations for their IPL 2024 triumph. Soon after their convincing win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, the KKR players dispersed to join their national teams that are gearing up to participate in the T20 World Cup. Thus, the team couldn’t come back to Kolkata with the trophy, breaking a tradition set when the Gautam Gambhir-led side won the IPL in 2012 and 2014.
Big victory parades followed by massive celebrations used to be arranged at Eden Gardens by the KKR along with CAB and the West Bengal government. Co-owner Shahrukh Khan used to be the entertainer, pampering the crowd with his dancing and other activities.
The West Bengal government, too, felicitated the players—yet another memorable event. This time around, however, nothing has come out regarding next year’s celebrations, which has kept the fans guessing whether it will happen at all.
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While there have been reports of a celebratory function being planned in Kolkata on July 23, the newly appointed India coach Gautam Gambhir and Shahrukh Khan are reportedly supposed to attend. A CAB official, however, rubbished such claims saying that they didn’t have any concrete information regarding the same, hence hinting that the West Bengal government might be in the know-how.
“If at all, Nabanna would know of the plan,” a source in the CAB told The Telegraph.
The revised plan is to bring the trophy to Kolkata before Gambhir joins Team India duty. Speculations are that Gambhir will bid adieu to the KKR fans in the very same function, but nothing has been finalized as of now. “Talks are on. In the next 10 days, more things will be clear”.
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If the party happens, all the Indian players are likely to turn up. However, the availability of foreign stars such as Andre Russell and Sunil Narine is yet to be confirmed as both are currently engaged with Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC. It has also thrown up a question on the availability of Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Allah Ghazanfar, and Dushmantha Chameera as all these players have prior commitments.
