Cricket

Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders Triumph in IPL 2024, Clinching Third ChampionshipBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed his elation and gratitude as his team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emerged victorious in the IPL 2024 final. KKR's dominating eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) marked their third IPL championship title.Khan, the principal owner of KKR, hailed the team's "stars" for their exceptional performance. He acknowledged the contributions of Gautam Gambhir, the team's mentor, Abhishek Nayar, the assistant coach, and Chandrakant Pandit, the head coach."To my boys... my team... my champs... 'these blessed candles of the night'... My Stars...of KKR. I cannot do a lot of things and you cannot do them all either...but together we manage most of them," Khan wrote in a heartfelt social media post.He emphasized the team's unity and collaboration, stating that KKR is "not built on hierarchy but pure respect for collaboration." Khan praised the players' understanding of the team's vision and their dedication to the cause."The Trophy is not a testament of having the best players in the team... but a proof of each player being the best for the team. Boys you are all made of Star stuff!!" he exclaimed.Khan also expressed his gratitude to the KKR fans who had patiently waited 10 years for this victory. He urged them to continue their support and encouraged youngsters to learn from the team's resilience."Love you all and don't let the dancing stop! Also, so happy and thankful for each and every KKR fan and I hope all around the world youngsters learn that tough times don't last..." he wrote.Despite suffering from a heat stroke last week, Khan was present at the final in Chennai's Chepauk Stadium. He appeared in a mask throughout most of the match but removed it as KKR approached victory.KKR's first IPL title came in 2012, followed by another triumph in 2014. The team's latest victory is a testament to their determination and the leadership of Shah Rukh Khan, who has been a constant source of inspiration for the players and fans alike.

Abhishek Sharma, the rising star of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has emerged as a force to reckon with in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The young batsman has showcased exceptional batting skills, amassing an impressive 484 runs in 16 innings with a remarkable strike rate of 204.02. His ability to hit the ball to all corners of the ground has been a sight to behold.Sharma's success can be attributed to the significant influence of renowned players like Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid. His father and childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, shared insights into the impact these legends have had on his career.Yuvraj Singh, known for his explosive batting style, has dedicated his time and effort to train young talents like Abhishek. "I feel very good when world-class players like Yuvraj Singh train young kids then there could not be anything better than that," said Rajkumar. "Yuvi has had a huge impact on his career, he worked really hard and used to make him train all day and night."Abhishek's admiration for Yuvraj Singh was evident from a young age. Rajkumar recalled, "He used to consider Yuvraj as his idol and used to say 'Mai Yuvi paaji ke tarah batting karunga' (I want to bat like Yuvraj Singh). He used to watch his videos and once they started training together even Yuvi himself said ki 'mujhe aise lag raha hai mai khud batting karraha hun' (It seems like I am batting) and then he and his entire team used to train him, Yuvi used to himself stand and watch him bat."Throughout the 2024 IPL season, Abhishek Sharma proved his mettle as a formidable opening batsman. His explosive batting style and impressive strike rate of 204.22 led to some memorable partnerships with his teammate Travis Head.Rajkumar further emphasized Abhishek's innate talent and the opportunities he received to interact with cricketing legends. From a young age, Abhishek's ability to hit long sixes and clear the stadium boundaries left everyone in awe. As he grew older, he had the privilege of meeting and learning from esteemed players like Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, and Brian Lara."I used to get good bowlers and he used to hit sixes and even clear the ball out of the stadium. Everyone used to be shocked that a kid hits long sixes. And I used to tell everyone he was gifted. When he got older he went to professional coaches and top players and I thanked them for this result. He met Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara and started travelling the country and playing well," stated the youngster.Abhishek Sharma's exceptional performance in the 2024 IPL season is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the guidance he has received from cricketing legends. As he continues to grow and develop, he is poised to become one of the most exciting batsmen in the world.

Rishabh Pant Joins Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2024 Title CelebrationsIndian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant made a virtual appearance at the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory celebrations after the team clinched the IPL 2024 title. In a heartwarming video that has gone viral on social media, Pant was seen congratulating Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana on their triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad.Pant, who is currently in the USA with the Indian cricket team preparing for the T20 World Cup 2024, expressed his joy and admiration for the KKR players. Rinku, in turn, shared his excitement about joining the team in the USA soon."Bhaiya, I am coming [to US] on 28th," Rinku said to Pant on video call.In the match itself, KKR dominated SRH, bowling them out for a mere 113. Andre Russell led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana chipped in with two each.In response, Venkatesh Iyer smashed a brilliant half-century, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a fiery knock to guide KKR to a comfortable victory.KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun praised the team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Rana and Starc."He [Rana] has been outstanding and it's about the bowler understanding what his strengths are and when he does, it comes out beautifully on the ground," Arun said."Mitch coming into the team boosted the confidence of the other youngsters. He has been one of the best bowlers in world cricket and he has been in such situations before, it's about understanding Indian conditions and once he did that, it is magic all over."Arun also credited Gautam Gambhir for his decision to open the batting with Sunil Narine, which proved to be a game-changer for KKR."He [Narine] has brought a totally different dimension to our batting this year and it was Gautam who insisted that Sunny open and what Sunny did was outstanding," Arun said.

Virat Kohli's Resurgence: Fueled by Criticism, RCB's Orange Cap WinnerThe Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) endured a dismal start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, losing seven of their first eight matches. Amidst the team's struggles, Virat Kohli emerged as a beacon of consistency, scoring runs at a steady pace. However, his strike rate and intent came under scrutiny from critics.Undeterred by the criticism, Kohli transformed his game in the second half of the season. He not only improved his strike rate but also played with a renewed sense of purpose. Dinesh Karthik, RCB's wicketkeeper-batter, attributed Kohli's resurgence to the criticism he faced."Experts" spurred Kohli on by targeting him, Karthik said. "And you don't want to see that side of Virat Kohli. He thrives on that. He's someone who inadvertently wants to hold on to certain things to do well."Kohli's determination to prove his detractors wrong was evident throughout the season. He finished as the Orange Cap winner with 741 runs in 15 innings, averaging 61.75 and striking at 154.69.Thanks to Kohli's resurgence, RCB recorded six consecutive wins to qualify for the playoffs. However, their campaign ended in the Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals.Karthik believes Kohli's ability to channel criticism into motivation is a testament to his competitive spirit. "He loves proving people wrong," Karthik said. "He's fiery and you don't want to be anywhere close to it because you're going to get burnt for sure."Kohli's performance in IPL 2024 is a reminder of his unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity. Fueled by criticism, he emerged as a force to be reckoned with, leading RCB to a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season.

Kolkata Knight Riders' young paceman Harshit Rana has shared a heartwarming story involving franchise co-owner Shah Rukh Khan following KKR's victorious IPL 2024 campaign. Rana, who had a breakthrough season, played a pivotal role in KKR's third title victory, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches.However, Rana's season was not without controversy. He was handed a one-match ban for a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL's Code of Conduct during a match against Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens. The young pacer made an animated gesture towards DC's Abhishek Porel after taking his wicket, marking his second penalty of the season. Earlier, Rana had been fined 60% of his match fees for giving a flying-kiss send-off to Sunrisers Hyderabad's batter Mayank Agarwal.Reflecting on his emotions after the ban, the 22-year-old disclosed a special interaction with Shah Rukh Khan. Feeling dejected, Rana received a pep talk from the Bollywood superstar, who made a heartfelt promise to lift his spirits."Oh Yes! After I got banned for one match, I was very sad and then Shah Rukh sir came to me and said 'Tu tension mat le ye waali celebration Trophy ke saath karenge' (Don't worry, we will celebrate this with the trophy). He promised me and made sure that we did that with the trophy and our team," Harshit told the Indian Express.True to his word, Shah Rukh Khan led the entire KKR team in a flying kiss celebration after they clinched the IPL trophy. This gesture not only fulfilled a promise but also united the team in a moment of shared joy and camaraderie.Rana's performance in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad was outstanding. He claimed two wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs, including a rare maiden over in the summit clash. His contributions were crucial in securing KKR's victory.After the final, KKR's left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc lauded the young pacer's efforts, highlighting his growth and confidence throughout the season."Harshit is learning what his skills are capable of throughout this IPL. He seems pretty confident in his abilities. He started his season with the second-best team in this season (SRH). The right-arm seamer has bowled some tough overs and also crucial last overs and has taken a good amount of wickets this season as well," Starc said.Rana's journey in the IPL has been a testament to his hard work and determination. Despite facing setbacks, he has shown resilience and a willingness to learn. His performances have not only helped KKR achieve success but have also earned him the respect of his teammates and opponents.

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has expressed confidence that Glenn Maxwell's disappointing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign will not affect his performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Maxwell, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), had a tough season, scoring only 52 runs in nine innings at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93.Despite his poor IPL form, Maxwell played a significant role in Australia's recent 2023 ODI World Cup triumph. The Australian team and fans are hopeful that he will replicate his success in the T20 World Cup, a format he excels in.Khawaja, speaking to the West Australian, dismissed concerns about Maxwell's IPL form, emphasizing his proven track record and resilience. "The IPL form is absolutely irrelevant. Maxy’s proven himself time and time again. Any player who’s performed over a long period of time understands that you can’t perform well every time you go out there," Khawaja said.Khawaja highlighted the challenges of T20 cricket, especially for middle-order batsmen who often have to take risks. He believes Maxwell is just one good innings away from returning to his best form. "But (for this tournament) if he gets one good innings, he’s away. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. He’s not going to change his game and nor should he. Just keep going. He’ll find it," the veteran opener added.While Maxwell's batting impact for RCB was minimal, he did contribute with the ball, taking six wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.50 and an economy of 8.06. He bowled a crucial spell of 1-25 in RCB's must-win encounter against Chennai Super Kings, helping secure a playoff spot.Maxwell's ability to adapt and perform on slow Caribbean surfaces will be vital for Australia in the T20 World Cup. His experience and versatility as an all-rounder could provide the edge Australia needs in the tournament.

Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech in the dressing room following his team's triumph in the IPL 2024 final. KKR produced a dominant performance to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad and secure their third IPL trophy.Despite being recently hospitalized due to a heat stroke, SRK made a special appearance at the summit clash to support his team alongside his family. In a video shared by KKR on social media, SRK expressed his gratitude to the players and staff, while also making a special request."I just have one request, which is my special thanks to Gautam Gambhir," SRK said. "I have not thanked him specially. Two things we had discussed when we started that maybe we can make him dance. Sunil (Narine) has already crossed that boundary. I saw him dance. So we have to make GG [Gautam Gambhir] dance tonight."SRK's speech was met with cheers and applause from the KKR players. He went on to express his love and appreciation for the team, acknowledging their hard work and dedication."Thank you, everybody. You guys are lovely. God bless you. Just stay healthy. And, wherever we go ahead from here onwards, I wish you the best. And, I know, I speak on behalf of Jay, Juhi, Jahnavi, Suhana, Pooja, all of us, who love you very much that you make us very emotional. And, we wish we had this team for the rest of our lives. And you kept on listening to my speeches and playing like this."In the match itself, SRH batters struggled against KKR's bowling attack, with Andre Russell claiming three wickets and Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana taking two each. SRH were bundled out for a mere 113 runs.In response, Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz guided KKR to an easy victory, securing the franchise's third IPL title.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season concluded with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerging as the champions. Led by Shreyas Iyer, KKR dominated the league stage, securing 19 points and defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1. In the final, KKR once again triumphed over SRH, riding on a half-century from Venkatesh Iyer and exceptional bowling performances. This victory marked KKR's third IPL title, earning them a prize money of Rs 20 crore.The IPL has become the world's leading T20 franchise-based league, boasting impressive prize money compared to its competitors. The South Africa-based SA20 offers a prize of 34 million Rand (Rs 15.4 crore) to its champions. The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) awards USD 1 million (Rs 8.3 Crore) to its winners, while the International League T20 (ILT20) offers USD 700,00 (Rs 5.8 Crore).In contrast, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Big Bash League (BBL) offer significantly lower prize money. The PSL 2024 winners received Rs 4.13 crore, while the BBL 2024 champions earned USD 450,000 (Rs 3.7 crore).The IPL's prize money reflects its immense popularity and financial strength. The league has attracted top players from around the world, creating a highly competitive and entertaining tournament. The substantial prize money serves as a major incentive for teams to perform at their best, contributing to the IPL's status as the most lucrative T20 league globally.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed its gratitude to the ground staff for their tireless efforts in providing exceptional pitches throughout the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In recognition of their dedication, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25 lakhs each, while those at the 3 additional venues will get INR 10 lakhs each.BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to social media to convey his appreciation, stating, "The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions."The ground staff's efforts were particularly crucial in the recently concluded final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium. Despite challenging weather conditions, the pitch remained in excellent condition, allowing for an exciting and competitive match.KKR emerged victorious in the final, securing their third IPL title and their first in 10 years. Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell played pivotal roles with their fiery spells, while Venkatesh Iyer's half-century helped KKR chase down the target of 114 runs in just 10.3 overs.The BCCI's gesture of appreciation highlights the importance of the ground staff in ensuring the success of cricket matches. Their hard work and dedication create a safe and conducive environment for players to perform at their best.