(BCCI Photo)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended a ten-year title drought by winning the IPL 2024 Final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets at the packed MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26.
This victory marked the third IPL title for the Kolkata-based franchise, bringing immense joy to their fans. The triumph of the Men in Purple and Gold was a cause for celebration. However, the victory would have been even more special had they been crowned champions in front of their home crowd in Kolkata.
The KKR team management had planned to celebrate their IPL 2024 win with their fans in Kolkata, but these plans were canceled due to the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections in the state.
Lok Sabha Elections disrupt KKR’s homecoming celebration plans
The KKR had to cancel their planned celebration for winning the IPL 2024 after the Election Commission denied permission for such a large gathering due to the Lok Sabha elections in Kolkata. They had scheduled a grand event at Eden Gardens on May 27, the day after the IPL 2024 Final in Chennai, to celebrate their title with the fans.
However, because the Lok Sabha elections coincided with their planned celebration, KKR had to call off the event. The team management decided to prioritize the safety and security of the players and support staff, given the sensitive political atmosphere during the elections in Kolkata.
The decision was made to avoid any potential security risks or disruptions from hosting a large-scale celebration during the Lok Sabha elections in the capital of West Bengal.
According to a report from ABP, the KKR team management initially planned to arrive in Kolkata on May 27 to celebrate their victory with fans at Eden Gardens, but the Election Commission objected to such a large gathering during the elections.
Mamata Banerjee and Burj Khalifa honor KKR
Importantly, the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 is scheduled for June 1, with road shows and rallies currently in full swing throughout the state. Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her heartfelt congratulations to KKR for winning the IPL 2024. She praised the players, support staff, and franchise for securing their third title.
Mamata Banerjee posted on X: “Kolkata Knight Riders’ win has brought about an air of celebration all across Bengal. I would like to personally congratulate the players, the support staff and the franchise for their record-breaking performance in this season of the IPL. Wishing for more such enchanting victories in the years to come!”
Remarkably, KKR’s IPL 2024 victory was celebrated in spectacular fashion at Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. In a 16-second video shared by KKR on X, the Burj Khalifa was illuminated with the team’s vibrant purple and gold colors. Additionally, images of the team and its co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, were projected, accompanied by the message “Congrats, KKR, and Congrats, SRK.”
