In a gripping encounter at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fell just short of a remarkable victory against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), losing by a mere four runs in a high-scoring IPL match. Despite the defeat, KKR’s spirits were lifted by a heartfelt message from their team owner, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, which resonated deeply with fans and players alike.
Chasing a daunting target of 239 set by LSG, KKR put up a valiant effort, finishing at 234/7. The innings was highlighted by Ajinkya Rahane’s explosive 61 off 35 balls and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 38 in the final overs, which kept the team’s hopes alive until the very last ball. However, LSG’s earlier onslaught, led by Nicholas Pooran’s blistering 87 off 36 balls and Mitchell Marsh’s solid 81, proved just enough to secure the win.
Following the match, KKR shared a video of their CEO, Venky Mysore, reading out a deeply emotional and inspiring message from Shah Rukh Khan. Titled with SRK’s poignant words, “Hold our head up, and face the next game,” the message emphasized the importance of resilience and reflection over regret.
“It’s a sad loss because we were so close, but there are so many good things to take away,” Mysore conveyed SRK’s sentiments. “We can fight and put up a big score… Sometimes our best is not good enough. I think this was one of those days.”
Shah Rukh Khan further encouraged the players, reminding them that they were “only one ball away, one hit away” from victory. He urged them to “leave the defeat behind” and learn from the narrow loss. “Seeing it maturely, I feel a bit of heartbreak brings the team closer,” the message concluded, highlighting the potential for such moments to strengthen team bonds.
Despite the loss, KKR’s fighting spirit did not go unnoticed by their beloved owner. The message has since gone viral, resonating with fans for its blend of sportsmanship and emotion. With this defeat, LSG now boast three wins in five games, climbing the IPL standings, while KKR, with two wins, look to regroup and carry SRK’s words of encouragement into their next challenge.