Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), gave an encouraging speech after their heart-wrenching loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR). At Eden Gardens on Tuesday, he motivated players and staff. His words aimed to uplift spirits. The team endured an agonizing defeat. But Khan’s inspiring address boosted morale after the tough match.
Batting first, KKR scored a mammoth 223/6 in 20 overs, due to Sunil Narine’s dazzling maiden T20 century. They continued to control proceedings throughout the second innings, with RR struggling at 121/6 in the 13th over.
However, a stunning burst by Jos Buttler, who struck his own century, propelled Rajasthan across the finish line, much to the dismay of the KKR players.
Game over, Shah Rukh praised the team. Shah Rukh told mentor Gautam Gambhir not to feel low about losing. Shah Rukh Khan gave an uplifting speech after the match ended.
“The main thing is the energy in all of us. And I think we have great energy on the field. We have lovely energy here. Personally also, everybody is bonding together. So please continue to. All the very best. Honestly, it’s a proud day, the way we played. I think all of us, I won’t take individual names, that’s been taken. GG, you don’t feel down. We would all be bouncing back. It is God’s plan for today.”
Shah Rukh Khan
Here is a video of the same:
With the loss, KKR stayed second in the points table, having won four of their last six.
This match saw KKR endure their initial setback at home, having secured victories in the first two matches played at Eden Gardens against SunRisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.
“Today, we didn’t deserve to lose” – Shah Rukh Khan
SRK energized KKR’s troopers. He said, “Ride the wave, guys. Lock this season’s high.” Encouraging them, he asserted they didn’t merit losing against RR.
“There are days in our lives, in sports, especially, when we don’t deserve to lose. And there are also days when we don’t deserve to win. But there are days like that when things turn around. Today, we didn’t deserve to lose, all of us played extremely well. We have to be very very proud of ourselves. Please don’t feel sad or down. We feel happy as well when we come into the changing room and we are on a high. So maintain the high.”
Shah Rukh Khan
KKR will now have a five-day vacation to regroup from their painful setback before facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, April 21.