Abu Dhabi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 season opener on Wednesday (September 23) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. However, the Purple and Gold got a surprise ahead of their first game as Dubai’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa brightened and decorated with their colours (purple and gold).
The world’s tallest structure displayed a spectacular and magnificent LED display and honoured KKR by lighting up in their colours. “Before the fireworks tomorrow, here’s the curtain-raiser! We won’t stop, on our way to the Top with upwards arrow above. Thank you @BurjKhalifa for lighting up in #KKR colours. What a welcome to the UAE tonight,” KKR tweeted.
شكران 🙌🏽
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 22, 2020
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
Talking about facing Mumbai Indians, KKR captain Dinesh Karthik said that it is good thing for his side that they are facing Rohit Sharma-led side so early in the tournament. “They (Mumbai Indians) have a team of world-class players, they are a strong lineup and the amount of IPL titles they have shows that. It’s good that we are playing Mumbai early in the tournament, every year is a different year, I am sure it will be a great game tomorrow,” he said during a virtual press conference.
KKR has a bad head-to-head past record against Mumbai. The two teams have played 25 matches against each other, among which 19 have been won by Mumbai Indians. KKR roped in a USA pacer Ali Khan as a replacement for injured pacer Harry Gurney. Thus Khan became the first player from the USA to feature in the IPL history.
