Kolkata Knight Riders ending their decade-long wait for an IPL title resulted in some emotional celebrations from the players and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to win their third title and first since 2014.
Chasing just 113 for a win in the mega final, KKR completed the task in 10.3 overs with half-centurion Venkatesh Iyer hitting the winning run off Shahbaz Ahmed. The winning single was followed by an eruption of celebration in the KKR dugout as players and support staff members ran towards the pitch to celebrate the special victory.
Star all-rounder Andre Russell was in tears while making his way to the middle. He later summed up his emotions while speaking to the broadcaster.
“No words to describe [holds his tears]. 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,” Russell said.
Another West Indies Sunil Narine, who is not known for showing any emotions, was also ecstatic as he lifted KKR captain Shreyas Iyer after Kolkata captured the 2024 title.
📽️ 𝗥𝗔𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2024
Moments of pure joy, happiness, jubilation, and happy tears 🥹
What it feels to win the #TATAIPL Final 💜
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/lCK6AJCdH9#KKRvSRH | #Final | #TheFinalCall | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/987TCaksZz
Bollywood star Shah Rukh took a victory lap with his family after KKR’s win and was also seen sharing some heartwarming moments with team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir had led KKR to two IPL titles, in 2012 and 2014 as a captain. He was brought back to the franchise ahead of the 2024 season as a mentor and helped them break the drought immediately.
Shah Rukh gave Gambhir a kiss on his forehand and the picture of their meeting is going viral on social media.
Shah Rukh Khan kissing Gautam Gambhir 💜
— S U B H A N K A R 𓀠 (@AttitudeimSRK12) May 26, 2024
SRK brings back Gambhir again & he has written a great comeback story.#ShahRukhKhan #KKRvsSRHFinal pic.twitter.com/npJRQe90Jg
“Absolutely comprehensive. This is what we demanded from the team and every individual. They stood up to the right occasion and the feeling is hard to express. It (wait) was so long, longer than the match,” KKR skipper Iyer said after winning IPL 2024. “We played like invincibles throughout the season. There’s so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout.”
“I am running out of words right now. We have been tremendous from game one, we stepped up today. All we demanded from ourselves was to back each other whatever the situation is.”
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 "IPL Final: Shreyas Iyer hails ‘absolutely comprehensive’ victory as KKR hammer SRH to win third title in style")
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