Bollywood superstar and owner of IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah Rukh Khan, channelled his inner Ted Lasso as he joined cricketers and fans in praising the team's latest star, Rinku Singh, after his outstanding performance on Sunday.
Singh's scintillating match-winning innings saw him smash five successive sixes against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal, taking the Knight Riders to an impressive victory in Ahmedabad.
Khan used the popular catchphrase from the hit TV series Ted Lasso asking his players to "Believe".
Singh's heroics came at a crucial moment in the game, with the Knight Riders needed 28 runs off the final five deliveries. Despite only scoring 9 runs off 14 deliveries in the 19th over, Singh's power-hitting kicked in just in time to secure the win. The left-handed batter remained unbeaten on 48 off just 21 deliveries, leaving the Gujarat Titans stunned.
The Titans had been cruising towards a straightforward win by the end of the 18th over, with their stand-in skipper, Rashid Khan, taking a hat-trick just off the previous over. Khan had removed three of KKR's star power-hitters – Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Shardul Thakur – leaving the team in a difficult position. However, Singh's onslaught completely turned the game around, leaving Dayal and the entire Titans team shell-shocked.
Following the game, Dayal was visibly upset and sat inside the dugout for a long time, being consoled by fellow members of the Titans side as well as a number of KKR players.
JHOOME JO RINKUUUUU !!! My baby @rinkusingh235 And @NitishRana_27 & @venkateshiyer you beauties!!! And remember Believe that’s all. Congratulations @KKRiders and @VenkyMysore take care of your heart sir! pic.twitter.com/XBVq85FD09
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 9, 2023
All hail Lord Rinku Singh. 5 sixes in 5 balls in the last over of a run chase. One of the best last over hitting in a chase that you would ever see. #KKRvGT
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 9, 2023
Rinku Singh 🤝 Carlos Brathwaite
— ICC (@ICC) April 9, 2023
“Remember the name!”#IPL2023 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/AHoEs3BfXx
IPL is truly a place where talent meets opportunity.
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) April 9, 2023
Unbelievable innings, Rinku! 👏
And tough luck Yash, one to learn from.
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