Gautam Gambhir’s association with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) goes back a long way. The former Indian opener was a key player for the franchise in multiple seasons, leading them to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. However, during a recent match between Gambhir’s current team, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and KKR, the crowd at Eden Gardens showed no mercy to the former KKR captain. They chanted the name of Virat Kohli, taunting Gambhir following an on-field spat between the two players earlier in the tournament.
Despite the crowd’s taunts, Gambhir maintained his composure. After LSG secured a narrow victory over KKR to qualify for the playoffs, Gambhir gestured to the crowd to lower the volume before breaking into a smile himself. The chants of Kohli’s name continued as LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq took the ball.
In the thrilling match, Rinku Singh played a valiant knock of 67 runs for KKR. However, his efforts went in vain as LSG emerged victorious by just one run. This win secured LSG’s place in the playoffs, while KKR’s defeat marked the end of their IPL 2023 campaign.
Nicholas Pooran’s counter-attacking innings of 58 runs off just 30 balls played a crucial role in LSG’s qualification for the playoffs. His fighting knock helped LSG recover from a precarious position of 73/5 and propelled them to a competitive total of 176/8. In response, Ravi Bishnoi bowled an impressive spell, taking two wickets for 23 runs. Despite another heroic performance from Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten on 67 off 33 balls, LSG managed to defend their total by one run. Yash Thakur, the Impact Player for the match, successfully defended 21 runs in the final over.
The match was a thrilling encounter, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams. LSG’s victory not only secured their place in the playoffs but also provided a disappointing end to KKR’s IPL 2023 journey. The chants from the crowd added an intense atmosphere to the match, particularly targeting Gambhir due to his history with KKR and the previous altercation with Kohli. Despite the taunts, Gambhir maintained his professionalism and displayed a smile in response, showing his ability to handle such situations with grace.
