In the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Friday. The visitors, led by Aiden Markram, won the game by 23 runs in what was a high-scoring thriller.
It was KKR skipper Nitish Rana who won the toss and put SRH to bat first. Opener Mayank Agarwal and number three batter Rahul Tripathi failed to impress scoring just 9 runs each. However, the third-wicket partnership between opener Harry Brook and Aiden Markram set the match alight.
Markram got out in the 13th over after playing a splendid knock of 50 off 26 with two fours and five sixes. Abhishek Sharma, who arrived at number five, played his hand with a delightful cameo of 32 off 17; followed by wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, who gave the finishing touches with an unbeaten 16 off 6. However, the star of the show was Brook who answered all the doubts with his maiden IPL hundred.
Brook silences critics on social media
After the auctions, a lot was expected of Brook, who stormed into the international circuit for England with some spectacular knocks. However, he could not quite get going in the first three matches for SRH, and a lot of fans on social media criticised him for lack of performance. However, with a knock of an unbeaten 100 off 55 against KKR, he must have lowered a few eyebrows.
SRH bowlers held their nerve and did enough to defend a massive target of 229 with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and leg-spinner Mayank Markande standing out. And unsurprisingly, it was the English batter who won the Player of the Match for his knock.
“It was a special night, it was tense but it’s good to be on the winning side. [on batting at the top of the order]: A lot of people say it’s the best place to bat at. I am happy to do what team wants me to do,” said Brook after the match. “I think I was putting pressure on myself after a few games, you go to social media and people talk rubbish. I just went in the don’t-care mode today and played this knock.”
“There are a lot of Indian fans out there who’ll say well done tonight. But they were slagging me off a few days ago. Glad I could shut them up,” concluded the 24-year-old.
Here is how the fans reacted to Brook’s comments:
He is an absolute gem. He will continue to entertain.
— Sanket (@awesomesanket) April 14, 2023
He needs to develop some thick skin if he wants to be successful in IPL???
— Venkatesh Elayavalli (@elayavalli) April 14, 2023
Nobody is immune to critisism lol. You were bought for a heavy amount, you gotta perform. Now better score runs in upcoming matches too after giving such statements.
— ?????? (@iromeostark) April 14, 2023
Never ever discriminate fans. Fans are fans and you need to respect them. Without Fan’s Sports persons and celebrity’s are nothing. Blessed are you to have fan following. Remember that you are playing for the IPL, a team owned by and Indian that you playing in India. Learn to…
— Arvind Raghava (@ArvindRaghava5) April 14, 2023
Big Zero on humility. This guy won’t be a legend for sure!
— Sumit Agarwal ?? (@sumitagarwal_IN) April 14, 2023
Agle match mein bnaliyo nhi to aur pdengi abto??
— aksh18 (@aksh18181) April 14, 2023
Very true very very true , all these lockdown kids with twitter profile and without any dp are so toxic ,it's not bringing bad name to there upbringing but for the country too
— Raazi (@Rg86037221) April 14, 2023
I get very happy with his Century but his this opinion shocks me
After this my respect for Arshdeep increased a lot who after criticism says Fans have right to troll us. Fans only made us superstars
Arshdeep face alot of criticism as compared to Brook— Davda Kunal (@davda_kunal2) April 14, 2023
all greats were criticized when they failed…what makes you an exception!
— solitudelife (@Solitude_life) April 14, 2023
Indian league me khelega to Africa k fans ake thode criticise karenge… Kohli and Rohit tk ko log nhi chhod rhe to tu to bachha he re….
— Sagar (@OfficialSagar21) April 15, 2023
Bro bas ek match jitaya hsi tournament nahi,still struggled against spinner.
— Govind Varma (@varmagovind0507) April 14, 2023
