Eden Garden crowd chanting Rinku, Rinku gave me goosebumps: Nitish Rana

1 of 1

Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Nitish Rana was delighted to hear ‘Rinku, Rinku’ chants from the crowd at the Eden Gardens and said the enthusiastic cheer from the fans reflected the extent to which the left-handed batsman is enjoying the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). How much has been recognized for outstanding performance in IPL).

Chasing 180, with Kolkata needing two runs off the last two balls, Rinku provided another sensational finish with a last-ball four for KKR against the Punjab Kings.

Appreciating Rinku at the post-match presentation, the KKR skipper said, “I just keep telling him, believe in yourself because what you have achieved is something not many people achieve in their lives.” Get it. If you can do that, you can do anything.. When he was batting, the whole crowd of spectators in the stadium were chanting ‘Rinku, Rinku’. This year he has earned I got goosebumps.”

“I’ve been with this franchise for the last few years, I’m used to seeing the Eden crowd shouting ‘Russell, Russell’. But it gives me immense pleasure to hear them shouting ‘Rinku, Rinku’. It’s an honor for them. Which he has earned this season.”

Rana scored a crucial 51 off 38 balls in KKR’s win, followed by Andre Russell (42 off 23 balls) and Rinku hitting the finishing touches to win the fifth match of the season for KKR.

Speaking about KKR’s performance in the match, Rana said that Venkatesh Iyer was struggling a bit with his injury and there were talks about him trying to bowl a big over.

He lauded Russell for his strong innings and mentioned that 10 matches have gone by and he kept telling Russell that he would get them big wins.

“When I was batting, I wanted to hold one end. Venky had a problem with his ankle so we were trying to get a big over. 10 matches in, we are all waiting for Russell to come up with that one innings. He was one innings away, I kept backing him and kept saying you have done a lot and you will 100 per cent win us the match.”

“The pitch also had a feel of home advantage. Our bowlers bowled poorly in the death overs, I was angry that we gave them so many runs when it was a 160-165 wicket.”

The win propelled KKR to fifth in the 10-team standings and reinvigorated their challenge to make the playoffs.(IANS)

read this also – Click to read the news of your state / city before the newspaper