Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians a few nights ago and became the first team to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2024. The two-time champions were scheduled to square off against the Gujarat Titans in their penultimate group stage game but it was abandoned due to rain at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday. The rain also washed out the Titans’ slim chances of qualifying to the playoffs.
Although there wasn’t much for the fans, KKR batter Nitish Rana’s reply to commentator Harsha Bhogle went viral. The southpaw was questioned about his finger injury, which prevented him from playing for the majority of the season.
Harsha Bhogle was unable to take his eyes off Rana’s finger and asked him if something was bothering him. The KKR player claimed that he was alright but made a lighthearted comment that he couldn’t show his middle finger.
“Nitish, I’m watching your hands. Is everything alright?” Harsha enquired.
“Yes, sir, everything is fine. Since it’s the middle finger, I cannot show it to you,” Rana said in response.
Rana made a comeback in the KKR squad after missing 10 games due to a finger injury he had sustained in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He featured in the clash against MI on May 11. He scored 33 runs off 23 balls, including four fours and a six, before getting run out.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored the middle order in Rana’s absence. The left-hander is expected to play in the remaining games.
Knight Riders solidified their place in the top 2 after a decade. The team has an impressive track record of winning the competition every time it has been in the top two. KKR lifted the IPL title for the first time in 2012 and followed it with a second one in 2014.
