(KKR X)

“Prior to the IPL 2024 final, Gautam Gambhir, the former captain of KKR and current mentor, had a reunion with his former teammate Manvinder Bisla. Bisla, who played a pivotal role in Kolkata’s inaugural title win in 2012, joined Gambhir for the catch-up session.”

Before the Indian Premier League 2024 final showdown between KKR and SRH at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26, former KKR captain turned mentor Gautam Gambhir shared a moment with his former teammate Manvinder Bisla. Bisla, instrumental in KKR’s maiden IPL triumph in 2012, joined Gambhir for a catch-up session ahead of the highly anticipated match.

Highlighting his significance, the cricketer from Haryana delivered a match-winning performance, scoring 89 runs off 48 balls with eight fours and five sixes. This crucial innings aided KKR in successfully chasing down a target of 191 runs and securing their inaugural IPL trophy in Chennai. Consequently, the duo reunited, reflecting on their shared memories at the venue after a considerable period. The official KKR social media handle shared a snapshot of their reunion, captioning it as “The reunion of our champion Knights.”

In the IPL 2012 final, KKR confronted a daunting challenge of chasing down a formidable target of 191 against the reigning champions CSK on their home turf. The pressure intensified when captain Gautam Gambhir departed in the opening over. Yet, Bisla’s superb innings not only steadied the team’s run rate but also provided crucial momentum under tense circumstances.

Playing a pivotal role, the right-handed batsman engaged in a crucial partnership of 136 runs from 82 balls alongside Jacques Kallis, who contributed 69 runs from 49 deliveries, propelling KKR into a commanding position. As the match approached its climax, Kolkata found themselves needing nine runs to secure victory in the final over. However, Manoj Tiwary remained composed amidst the pressure, facing Dwayne Bravo, and steered his team to triumph with consecutive boundaries.

KKR on the brink of clinching their third IPL title.

Consequently, KKR sealed their maiden IPL victory, triumphing over their opponents with a five-wicket win and two balls to spare. Two years later, the franchise from Kolkata secured their second title during the IPL 2014 season under the captaincy of Gambhir.

Now, a decade after their second triumph, KKR stands on the brink of claiming their third championship title as they enter their fourth IPL final. Benefiting from the guidance of their former skipper, the Kolkata team has shown significant improvement from their seventh-place finish last season, positioning themselves just one step away from glory. With aspirations to replicate their 2012 final performance at the same venue, KKR is determined to overcome SRH in the summit clash.