Eden Gardens in Kolkata went beyond sports to become a symbol of national pride on a night filled with intense passion and cricket drama.
A stirring performance of "Maa Tujhe Salaam" filled the stadium during the May 7 IPL 2025 match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), as thousands of spectators came together to honor India's armed troops.
This incident followed India's recent military operation, "Operation Sindoor," which targeted terrorist strongholds in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In observance of the valor of the military forces, players from both teams, as well as representatives from the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), lined the boundary during the playing of the national anthem.
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Unfortunately, KKR failed to come good in front of home crowd. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, KKR managed 179/6 thanks to Sunil Narine (26) and Ajinkya Rahane (48 in 33) setting up a platform for KKR. After a short lull, Manish Pandey (36*) and Andre Russell (38 with 4 fours and 3 sixes) propelled KKR to 179/6. For CSK, Noor Ahmad took 4/31.
Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway, the openers, were out for ducks as CSK's top order collapsed. R. Ashwin, who was promoted to no. 4, produced just eight runs while debutant Urvil Patel scored 31 in 11 balls with four fours and one four. Before he left, Ravindra Jadeja looked terrific for his 19.
Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube's 67-run partnership got CSK back into the game. Brevis reached his first IPL fifty, reaching 52 in 25 balls with four fours and four sixes, while Dube made 45 in 40 balls with three sixes and two fours.
With eight runs needed in the final over, MS Dhoni, the CSK talisman, whacked Andre Russell for a six to complete the task. Then Anshul Kamboj struck the following ball for a four, as CSK won by two wickets. CSK presently has six points after finishing with a score of 183/8, their third victory in 13 games.
Since KKR currently has 11 points from 12 games and can only get to 15 points if they win their next two games, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs were severely damaged.
