In a thrilling showdown at Eden Gardens, the Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious over the Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring IPL clash on Tuesday, April 16. Opting to bat first, KKR posted a formidable total of 223/6, propelled by a sensational century from Sunil Narine.
The left-hander’s scintillating knock of 109 runs off just 56 balls, adorned with 13 fours and six sixes, set the stage for a challenging chase. In response, the Royals faced early setbacks in their pursuit of the towering target. However, Jos Buttler’s remarkable innings turned the tide in their favor. His unbeaten 107 off 60 deliveries, including crucial boundaries and sixes, guided the Royals to a thrilling two-wicket victory on the final ball.
Following the heartbreak, KKR co-owner and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan addressed the team in the dressing room, delivering a motivational speech captured in a video shared by KKR. He encouraged the players not to be disheartened by the defeat, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and energy.
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“There are days in our lives, in sports, especially when we don’t deserve to lose… Today, we didn’t deserve to lose. All of us played extremely well… Please don’t feel sad or down. Feel as happy as we feel whenever we come to the changing room and we are on a high so maintain the high,” Shah Rukh Khan expressed, highlighting the team’s collective effort and bonding.
As King Khan says, we’re always proud of our Knights! 💜✨ pic.twitter.com/QEMRMSq1oQ
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 17, 2024
Assuring mentor Gautam Gambhir and the players, Shah Rukh Khan instilled confidence in their ability to bounce back stronger, acknowledging setbacks as part of the game.
“Personally, everybody is bonding together… GG, don’t feel down, we will all be bouncing back. It is God’s plan today… we will be back with more and better God’s plans,” he affirmed, concluding with gratitude and blessings for the team.
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The Rajasthan Royals, currently placed second on the points table with four wins from six matches, are set to face the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their next encounter at Eden Gardens on April 21.
