CAB ‘not sure’ about KKR’s IPL celebration due on July 23

KKR IPL 2024 Champions. (Photo Source: R.SATISH BABU/AFP via Getty Images)

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is not sure about Kolkata Knight Riders’ plan to celebrate the success of IPL 2024. After their remarkable victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, plenty of players left the franchise to join their respective countries for the T20 World Cup. The team could not make their return to Kolkata with the trophy, something that was a tradition for them when the Gautam Gambhir-led side won it in 2012 and 2014.

Back in those years, KKR alongside CAB and the government of West Bengal organised a victory parade which was followed by massive celebrations at Eden Gardens. Co-owner Shahrukh Khan was the centre point of all the celebrations as he used to entertain the crowd with his dance and other activities. The West Bengal government too used to honour the players but the details of their upcoming celebration are not yet made public, so much so, that the fans are not sure if any such event would be materialized this year.

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Reports claim that a celebration in Kolkata is due on July 23, in which, newly appointed India coach Gautam Gambhir will be present alongside Shahrukh Khan. However, a CBI official clarified that they do not have any information but the government of West Bengal may know a thing or two.

“If anything, Nabanna could be aware of such a plan,” a CAB source was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

The current plan is to bring the trophy to Kolkata before Gambhir’s tenure with Team India begins. It is expected that the Southpaw would bid goodbye to the fans of Kolkata Knight Riders in the same event but there’s no clarity. However, there are talks of things being developed in the next 10 days and more is expected to come to light.

If the plan eventually materialises, all the Indian players will be part of the celebration. It’s unclear if Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will be part of the celebrations given that both cricketers are part of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the ongoing MLC. The availability of Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Allah Ghazanfar and Dushmantha Chameera is also in doubt.