IPL 2023: 'Will come back stronger next season,' Nitish Rana's big statement after KKR get eliminated

Nitish Rana-led Kolkata Knight Riders faced one-run defeat in hands of visiting Lucknow Super Giants.

Rinku Singh almost had the repeat of his outrageous chase of Gujarat against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Rinku smashed 16 runs with the bat when KKR required 21 runs to win in the last over against Lucknow. In a thriller of a game, Lucknow emerged victorious by just one run. Batting first, Lucknow scored 176 runs They started poorly and lost 5 wickets in 73 runs in just 10 overs. Sunil Narine picked up 2 wickets in 28 runs. Nicholas Pooran in the end put Lucknow in a strong position with his 58 runs knock in 30 balls. Chasing 177, Kolkata had a good start but they lost their track in the middle overs. 

Nitish Rana's promise to KKR fans

Opener Venkatesh Iyer (24) and Jason Roy (45) added 61 runs for the first wicket. Later KKR had a flood of wickets in the middle overs against Ravi Bishnoi. Rinku Singh later put KKR back in the game but failed to win. Rinku smashed 67 runs in 33 balls. KKR captain Nitish Rana said, “The results didn’t go in our favour, but plenty of positives to take from this season and lots to improve as well. Will come back stronger next season”. KKR finished 7th in the table with 12 points. 

Krunal praises Rinku Singh

Lucknow Super Giants qualified for the playoffs after their win against Kolkata. Lucknow are placed 3rd in the table. Lucknow captain Krunal Pandya said, “First reaction is satisfaction, we never gave up, we were put under a lot of pressure but credit to the boys”. Talking about Rinku Singh’s batting he said, “Rinku has been special this year, every game when he’s there you can not take it easy. Today he showed it again”. Rinku smashed 2 sixes and a four in the last over. 

Confident Pooran looks for next round

Nicholas Pooran was announced Player of the Match for his 58 runs inning 30 balls. He smashed 4 fours and 5 sixes in his inning. Talking about his performance he said, “I knew I had to take as deep as possible, when the spinners were bowling, I knew they will give me bad balls. I have been batting well throughout the tournament”. Lucknow are waiting for their opponent in the Eliminator 1 game.