Kolkata Knight Riders’ players celebrated their victory in the IPL 2024, highlighting the significant roles played by their mentor Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in transforming the team into champions. KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a dominant final, bowling out SRH for 113, the lowest total ever in an IPL final, and chasing down the target with ease.
After their triumph, players like Andre Russell and Harshit Rana found it difficult to express their emotions. Harshit, who took two wickets in the final, said, “cannot tell how happy I am.” Russell, visibly emotional, remarked, “No words to describe. It means so much. I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and worked towards one goal. This franchise has done a lot for me. It’s a big gift from all of us to them.”
Spin bowler Varun Chakravarthy, who had a successful season, specifically praised Nayar, stating, “All I can think right now is of the person who built this Indian core: Abhishek Nayar. ‘Please come here’,” calling for the former Mumbai batter to join them in celebration. Venkatesh Iyer, who scored an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls in the chase, echoed this sentiment. He said, “Really happy with it.”
“As Varun mentioned, Abhishek Nayar deserves all the credit in the world. Some contributions go unnoticed, I want to make sure they don’t. This guy deserves all the credit in the world for the way he has been working for this franchise.” The victory also marked a special moment for Nitish Rana, who shared a personal story about Gambhir.
“I want to share one short story that when GG bhaiya was named the mentor. I sent him a long message as I was really happy. But he replied saying, ‘Thank you but I would be happy if we stand at the podium with the trophy in our hands.’ Today is that day and I will never forget that message,” Rana said.
KKR’s Dominant Performance and Team Effort Secure Third IPL Title
The comprehensive win underscored KKR’s clinical performance with both ball and bat. Losing the toss, KKR’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, bundling out SRH for a paltry 113. The chase was smooth, with Iyer’s explosive innings ensuring they reached the target with 57 balls to spare, while Gambhir and head coach Chandrakant Pandit watched from the dugout.
This triumph, KKR’s third IPL title, was a testament to the team’s hard work and discipline, with players and fans alike celebrating the long-awaited victory. The players’ acknowledgement of Nayar’s and Gambhir’s contributions highlighted the importance of their guidance in building a strong, cohesive team capable of such achievements.
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