XtraTime Web Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Dinesh Karthik feels his side would miss the atmosphere of Eden Gardens during the IPL matches this season. The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) as we all know has to be shifted to UAE due to the pandemic. The IPL matches this season will be played in front of empty stands in UAE as well.
“We will be missing our fans this year and the energy of Eden Gardens. We wanted to communicate directly with KKR fans, and wanted to convey what they mean to us. We do understand that they can’t be here in person with us, but they will be in our heart,” Karthik said here while launching a campaign titled “Tu Fan Nahi Toofan Hai!”
The year 2020 had been disastrous for the state of West Bengal as it has been hit by the double blow of Cyclone Amphan and the COVID-19 pandemic. The KKR skipper said this IPL season would be more for the people of the state.
“This year, it’s not so much for us. We’re playing for you all. We want to put a smile on their faces through our cricket. If we play the right brand of cricket, I’m sure we will make sure that you know we put a smile on every KKR fan out there.”
KKR’s left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who will be representing the team for his seventh season, said: “This year we want to win the title for our fans. They have given us so much love over the years, and this year even when they aren’t with us, we can feel their support and energy.
“For KKR, our biggest strength is our fans. The players have always been inspired by the unwavering dedication of our fans who support the team in highs and lows,” KKR CEO and MD Venky Mysore said.
Kolkata Knight Riders will kick start their IPL 2020 campaign against Mumbai Indians on September 23.