Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans are now seeking divine intervention to change the fortunes of their Indian Premier League (IPL) team which has the dubious distinction of being the only team not to reach the semi-finals in the previous three editions of the event.

The team has also started the current edition on a wrong note, going down to defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a cliffhanger.

Shah Rukh Khan Fans’ Club organised a ‘Mata ki jagran’ in their club premises in Rajarhat Saturday to seek blessings of Goddess Durga for the team, which has been a perennial under-achiever.

The Kolkata Knight Riders owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has failed to live up to the expectations of the cricket crazy Kolkatans despite the presence of ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly and other international stars.

This time the team is led by Gautam Gambhir and has a new look.

Traditionally Durga puja is celebrated in ‘Sharat’ (autumn) but the KKR fans desperate for their team to do well have decided to invoke the deity early in ‘Basant’.

The six-foot tall Durga idol wrapped in KKR colours of gold and purple has been preserved by the club members from the autumnal Durga Puja celebration organised by the club last year.

The canopy under which the idol has been kept also has been draped in the KKR colours and decorated with the KKR flags. Life-sized cutout of KKR players, including new captain Gambhir, adorn the side-screens of the canopy.

“The jagran will begin 6 in the evening today (Saturday) and till late night we will sing bhajans to please the deity and seek her blessing for the team,” Ccub secretary Arnab Roy told IANS.

“A team of 10 bhajan singers and around 2,000 fans will participate in the jagran. Special bhajans have been scripted with the names of the players and the team owner. The puja will be conducted following all the traditional rituals. After the puja, there will be dinner for all,” added Roy.

“The team hasn’t done well. So, we decided to organise this puja to ensure we win the crown this time.”

Asked if any team player would be present on the occasion, Roy replied that he has requested the players to grace the occasion but they are yet to confirm their participation.

Asked if the former captain of the KKR Sourav Ganguly has been invited, Roy candidly replied: “It would have been an honour to have him but since he is no more a member of the KKR we did not invite him.”

The idol will be immersed Sunday evening at the Ahiritola Ghat and all club members and KKR fans will join the procession.