The KKR captain Nitish Rana has discussed the motivational discussion he had with Shahrukh Khan, the team's owner, before the match against PBKS. For eight crores, Rana was acquired back in the 2022 mega auction after six years with the two-time IPL Champions. Despite the lack of Shreyas Iyer, who experienced a recurrence of a back injury during the final Match of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, the Delhi batsman was awarded the captaincy this year.
Before experiencing a hard spell where they lost four straight games, KKR had some memorable victories over RCB and GT in Rana's first three games as captain. With three victories in a row, KKR still has a chance to qualify for the postseason this year. Rana has appeared in 11 games this season, scoring 326 runs and taking three wickets.
The KKR captain was instrumental in the team's most recent victory over PBKS, scoring fifty runs and dismissing Shikhar Dhawan. After the victory, Rana admitted to having a conversation with Shahrukh Khan as well as said that the owner of KKR advised him to remain confident and to believe in himself.
Shahrukh Khan’s words of wisdom for Kolkata Knight Riders batter and skipper Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana spoke to Star about what SRK told him. He said, “I got the call from him before the match. He told me to keep the belief. You're doing well as a captain. Your captaincy is good. Just back yourself. Don't doubt yourself too much. Do whatever you feel is right, I will back you. That was the confidence I had even in the last game. Last over, I gave it to the spinner."
Nitish Rana also revealed what he replied to the Pathaan superstar and how he is focussing both on batting and captaincy. He said, “I'm trying to be myself being the captain and be myself while batting."
Fans react as KKR skipper Nitish Rana speaks about SRK's words of inspiration for him: -
Nitish Rana said, "Shahrukh Khan called me and praised my captaincy saying I'm doing good. Just keep doing this without doubting yourself. I back you". (To Star). pic.twitter.com/9RHxbXWtiK
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 11, 2023
Bad Luck Shreyas Iyer bhai,he lost captaincy in DC and KKR due to injury if u r captain of franchise u will be in ind 11 exception is Sanju anyway Good job nitish rana , He comes into same category of Tripathi and Sky does well in these games left arm batsmen and can do spin.
— Unpopular Opinion (@DavMahesh7) May 11, 2023
Imagine KKR kicking shreyas Iyer out of team to make Rana full time captain
— Prabhjot sidhu (@Prabhjot184599) May 11, 2023
(Pov - DC kicked Iyer out to make pant full time captain)
Iyer to RCB who says no?
— DEEPAK.HM (@akarcb14) May 11, 2023
Idli getting sacked again 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Sober (@rishisapra92) May 11, 2023
IMPACT OF GAUTAM GAMBHIR PRESENCE IN ICT > pic.twitter.com/WZeQ4nFjEi
— Firoz Khann (@Firozxkhann) May 11, 2023
Wow Shahrukh Khan who doesn't even bat properly in Punjab team say this to Captain of KKR
— Peter Griffin (@abhi4274) May 11, 2023
He is really doing great job. Nobody expexted him to be a captain of an IPL team... but he is doing exceptional job..
— Divyansh 🇮🇳 (@DirectDpk) May 11, 2023
Iyer doosro ki biwi ke peeche sab log iyer ki captaincy ki peeche too much fun👀
— Rahul (@GodspeedRahul) May 11, 2023
Yo Shahrukh concentrate on cricket man you're not that Shahrukh
— Rituraja Gajakwad 31 (@RiturajPopa) May 11, 2023
And next year Iyer will come back and take over 😅
— Anchit Jain (@food_travel_etc) May 11, 2023