Shah Rukh Khan motivates KKR with an inspirational message

Bollywood ‘Baadshah’ Shah Rukh Khan owned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost a game on Tuesday that they should have comfortably won. Chasing a target of 168 runs, which is not hard to achieve in Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium.

KKR were off to a superb start, as usual, scoring 61 runs in the powerplay for the loss of just one wicket. 107 runs in 14 overs with nine wickets in hand and a deep batting lineup, the stage was set for KKR to make the last few days of IPL dry, by confirming which four teams will play in the playoffs, and who will give it a try again but only next year.

That is the time when Rahul Tewatia led spin-attack of Kings XI Punjab cast a spell over the two-time IPL champions, as they lost their way in the middle, and got caught in the web spun by the likes of Tewatia and Axar Patel. KKR eventually fell 14 runs short of the target, which left their fans and skipper Gautam Gambhir bewildered.

Though Gambhir himself batted poorly, scoring a mere 8 in 18 balls, he criticised the dismal batting performance by his batters. KKR now have 16 points from 13 matches, and to confirm their participation in the play-off stages, they need to win against their nemesis Mumbai Indians on their home turf on 13th.

If they lose that match also, they could be promoted owing to their healthy net run-rate, but who wants things to go under the calculator? They will surely look to turn the tables on the first boy of IPL this year, Mumbai Indians, and owner Shah Rukh Khan has delivered them a message that might help them achieve it.

On the micro-blogging site Twitter, he wrote “Lost our way a bit tonight…does not mean we can’t reach the destination. Onward with more resolve…lov u boys. Lynny well played. Ami KKR”.

KKR will aim to win next match to qualify for play-off stages. That would bring a smile on the face of not only their celebrity owner but also to the faces of the fans, who had their head bowed down after Tuesday.