IPL 2020: Burj Khalifa lights up in KKR colours before team’s opener against MI

Seven teams have already started their campaign in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). On Wednesday, September 23, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Dinesh Karthik, are all set to be the last team to step out in the cash-rich tournament. Their first encounter is against Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Prior to the contest, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have welcomed the Knights in a grand way. The famous Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper in Dubai, lighted up in KKR colours. The Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure in the world since its topping back in 2009 with a total height of 829.8 m.

It showed KKR’s moto and also their players, including their skipper Karthik. The Knights didn’t forget to acknowledge the efforts for their welcoming.

KKR’s official Twitter handle uploaded a video of the same, writing, “We won’t stop, on our way to the top. Thank you @BurjKhalifa for lighting up in #KKR colours. What a welcome to the UAE tonight! #KKRHaiTaiyaar #IPL2020 #Dream11IPL #BurjKhalifa.”

Here’s KKR’s tweet: –

شكران 🙌🏽

Before the fireworks tomorrow, here's the curtain raiser! We won't stop, on our way to the 🔝

Thank you @BurjKhalifa for lighting up in #KKR colours.

What a welcome to the UAE tonight! 💜#KKRHaiTaiyaar #IPL2020 #Dream11IPL #BurjKhalifa pic.twitter.com/LgUe9hNdW1

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 22, 2020

Knights looking to make amends

Back in 2019, the Knights failed to make the playoffs despite winning quite a few matches to begin their campaign. However, in the middle of the round-robin stage, Karthik’s men lost six matches in a row and completely lost the momentum. West Indies’ Andre Russell was both their leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker, but his valiant efforts went in vain.

Russell scored over 500 runs and smashed as many as 52 sixes at a strike-rate over 200. Even in the upcoming edition, a lot would depend on the Jamaican for KKR to make a comeback. Going into their first game, KKR don’t have records in their favour as MI have defeated quite a few times.

But the Knights can take heart from the fact that the only time these two teams met in Abu Dhabi in 2014, KKR came out trumps by 41 runs. Also, KKR can also fancy their chances courtesy MI’s dismal numbers in the UAE. KKR have roped in quote a few new names, including the likes of Pat Cummins and England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan.