NEW DELHI: On a night of high emotion and cricketing drama, Eden Gardens in Kolkata transcended sport and became a symbol of national pride. During the IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the stadium resonated with a powerful rendition of “Maa Tujhe Salaam,” as thousands of fans joined in unison to pay tribute to India’s defence forces.Watch:This moment came in the wake of “Operation Sindoor“, India’s recent military action targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. As a gesture of respect, players from both sides, along with officials from the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), lined the boundary during the national anthem, honouring the bravery of the armed forces.But while the pre-match scenes stirred patriotic hearts, the home team had little to cheer about once the cricket began.After a strong start, KKR faltered badly.
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Opting to bat first in a must-win game, they raced to 67/1 in the powerplay but lost momentum soon after.
CSK’s spin trio, led by Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, turned the tide with a disciplined display. Ahmad bagged 4/31, dismissing Narine, Raghuvanshi, Russell, and Rinku Singh in a game-changing spell.Andre Russell briefly lifted spirits with a fiery 38 off 21, but Ahmad’s well-disguised googly ended his charge. From cruising early on, KKR stumbled to just 179/6, managing only 112 runs in the final 14 overs.Despite the defeat, the night will be remembered not just for cricket, but for Eden Gardens’ united voice of patriotism, echoing a powerful message beyond the boundary lines.
