The heartwarming encounter between Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and cricket sensation Rishabh Pant stole the spotlight in the IPL 2024 clash between Kolkata and Delhi in Visakhapatnam on April 3rd. Amidst the electrifying atmosphere, Shah Rukh’s genuine delight in meeting Pant, who recently recovered from injury, was palpable as they shared a warm embrace and exchanged affectionate gestures, captured by television cameras for fans to cherish.
Pant’s remarkable journey back to fitness after a challenging period garnered admiration from Shah Rukh, who encouraged him with words of encouragement and support. Despite Pant’s initial attempt to rise to his feet, Shah Rukh insisted he remain seated, acknowledging the cricketer’s resilience.
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The camaraderie extended beyond Shah Rukh and Pant, with the Bollywood icon engaging in extensive conversations with Pant and later with Delhi’s skipper Shreyas Iyer. Spending over 15 minutes on the ground, Shah Rukh’s warmth extended to all members of both teams, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
— 🎞️ (@mediaa_) April 3, 2024
On the field, Kolkata’s dominant performance propelled them to the top of the IPL 2024 points table. Their monumental total of 272, led by Sunil Narine’s explosive 85 off 37 balls, set the stage for a commanding victory. Delhi, in response, faltered and succumbed to 166 all out in 17.2 overs, handing Kolkata a resounding 106-run win and a significant boost to their Net Run Rate.
From SRK with love 🤗 ☺️
Signing off from Vizag 🫡#TATAIPL | #DCvKKR | @DelhiCapitals | @KKRiders | @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/XL7HuIEPyL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 3, 2024
Shah Rukh Khan’s joy was evident as he celebrated with the Kolkata team, embracing mentor Gautam Gambhir and head coach Chandrakant Pandit. His interactions extended to former Knight Rider Kuldeep Yadav, reflecting his genuine bond with the players.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s stellar batting display, comprising 5 sixes and 4 boundaries in his brisk 25-ball 55, showcased his prowess as a dynamic match-winner. Despite his valiant effort, Delhi’s innings faltered, unable to match Kolkata’s formidable total.
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Sunil Narine’s explosive innings, complemented by Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s impressive debut knock of 54 off 27 balls, set the foundation for Kolkata’s commanding performance. Andre Russell and Rinku Singh’s impactful cameos further solidified Kolkata’s dominance, culminating in a memorable victory in Visakhapatnam.
