Shah Rukh Khan kisses Gautam Gambhir on the forehead as KKR clinches IPL trophy
Chennai: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) soared to victory for the third time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a stunning performance, accompanied by a touching moment as team co-owner and Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan bestowed a tender kiss on the forehead of the team's mentor, Gautam Gambhir.
In a lopsided final match, Sunrisers Hyderabad faced a crushing defeat as KKR sealed the win with a commanding 8-wicket triumph, with a remarkable 57 balls to spare. Setting a record for the lowest total in an IPL final, SRH was dismissed for a mere 113 runs in just 18.3 overs.
The chase for KKR was largely fueled by Venkatesh Iyer's stellar performance, who blazed his way to 52 runs off just 26 balls. His innings, punctuated by three sixes and four fours sealed the victory for KKR.
Gautam Gambhir, instrumental in KKR's maiden IPL victory in 2012, played a pivotal role behind the scenes this time, guiding the team to triumph after twelve years. The emotional high point came when Shah Rukh Khan, present at the jubilant celebrations, rushed onto the field to express his joy. Khan's heartfelt gesture, captured on camera, as he kissed Gambhir on the forehead and embraced the former captain, quickly went viral on the internet.
KKR's journey to the 2024 title was marked by redemption, having finished sixth in the previous season after losing to Chennai Super Kings in the final match of 2021. However, strategic decisions, including the move to deploy Sunil Narine as an opener under Gambhir's guidance, paid rewards. Narine's stellar performance saw him amass 488 runs from 15 matches, contributing significantly to KKR's triumphant campaign.
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Pakistan comments on Kogilu slum demolition; India rejects remarks
Bengaluru: Pakistan has reacted to the demolition of slum homes at Kogilu in north Bengaluru, prompting a strong response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which rejected the comments and questioned Pakistan’s own record on minority rights.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office reportedly issued a statement alleging that Muslim homes were being demolished in Bengaluru with state backing and also referred to alleged attacks on Christians, calling the developments a matter of “serious concern”, The New Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
In a strong reply, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reportedly said, “We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself. Pakistan’s horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar said senior national leaders would respond to Pakistan’s comments. On questions about the evicted residents possessing identity cards from multiple states, he said officials would verify the details.
Asked if all evictees will be accommodated, Shivakumar said, “We will rehabilitate only genuine and eligible evictees. We will provide housing only to eligible locals.”
The controversy arose after Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) demolished around 160 houses at Fakeer Colony and Wasim Layout in Yelahanka, reclaiming about five acres of land valued at ₹80 crore. BSWML plans to set up a biogas plant and animal rendering unit in the space.
According to the report, the demolition soon turned into a political issue, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accusing the Karnataka government of bringing “bulldozer raj” to Bengaluru and alleging suppression of minorities and Dalits. CPIM from Kerala too started visiting the demolition site.
In a sort of damage-control exercise, All-India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal, who is said to be a chief ministerial candidate if the United Democratic Front wins in Kerala, asked the Karnataka government to mitigate the problem, ahead of Kerala going to the polls in April-May of next year.
Following the developments, the Karnataka government has decided to provide accommodation to eligible evictees under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation scheme and temporary shelter at Byappanahalli, officials said.
