NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders' opening batsman
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
shared the message his mother gave him before he played in the Indian Premier League 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 22-year-old Afghan player had left the IPL earlier in the season to be with his mother, who was facing health problems.
After winning the trophy with the Riders in a resounding victory, Gurbaz recounted his conversation with his mother, asking her what she desired.
"I think she will be watching, she is ok now. Before the match, I spoke to my mom. I asked what do you want, and she said, nothing just win," Gurbaz told the broadcasters post-match.
During the tournament, KKR lost their star opener Phil Salt when England decided to recall their T20 World Cup-bound players for their ongoing four-match T20I series against Pakistan. Gurbaz returned to the Knights squad as a replacement for Salt. The 27-year-old spearheaded KKR's attack, scoring 435 runs in 12 matches in the 17th edition of the tournament.
The young opener discussed replacing the in-form Salt, stating, "Salty played really well and my expectation was as the World Cup was coming, I wanted to prepare, also I had to be ready if Salty got injured, I got it and I was well prepared."
Gurbaz secured his second IPL title, having previously won with Gujarat Titans in 2022. The Afghan batter expressed the "special feeling" of achieving this feat twice. "Twice I'm champion of IPL, I'm lucky. When you work hard for two months and the result when it comes like this is special," Gurbaz concluded.
KKR secured the IPL 2024 title with a dominant all-round performance against SRH in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Their third title celebrations commenced at the same ground, Chepauk, where they had lifted their maiden title in 2012 under the leadership of
Gautam Gambhir
.
The KKR bowlers left the Sunrisers stunned, restricting the free-scoring SRH batting line-up to 113. In response, KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs, losing only two wickets. Gurbaz contributed with a 39-run knock off 32 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes, serving as the perfect finishing touch to the victory.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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