In the wake of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) clinical 8-wicket victory in Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, senior player Venkatesh Iyer has heaped praise on co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, drawing comparisons to former captain Gautam Gambhir. Iyer, who struck an unbeaten 51 off 28 deliveries in the match, described Khan as an ‘elder brother figure’ for the team, echoing Gambhir’s previous comments about the Bollywood superstar’s positive influence on the franchise.
Following KKR’s emphatic win, Khan entered the ground to congratulate both his players and the SRH team. In a post-match video shared by KKR on social media, Iyer spoke about how Khan’s presence and guidance have been instrumental in the team’s success. ‘It speaks volumes of the man he is. We have all seen him on the screen, mesmerizing people with his aura, not just be an owner of the franchise but an elder brother figure for us, to guide us constantly,’ Iyer said.
Iyer further revealed that Khan has consistently supported and motivated the players, especially during challenging times. ‘His pep talk has not just lifted me but the likes of Nitish Rana, who was reeling with injury. To comeback from the injury and to perform is a really big task. He’s a great franchise owner,’ Iyer added.
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer also acknowledged Khan’s impact on the team, stating that his presence alone brings a positive energy and inspires the players to perform at their best.
KKR’s victory over SRH has propelled them into their fourth IPL final. Premier pacer Mitchell Starc’s impressive opening burst of three wickets in the powerplay played a crucial role in restricting SRH to a modest 159 in 19.3 overs. In response, Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana remained unbeaten, smashing half-centuries to seal a comfortable victory for KKR.
The team’s success this season is a testament to the leadership and support provided by Shah Rukh Khan. His dedication to the franchise and his ability to inspire and guide the players have been key factors in KKR’s journey to the final.
