In the 42nd match of IPL 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders team made some surprising changes in their batting order against Delhi Capitals. KKR sent Nitish Rana along with Shubman Gill this time as the opening pair. Gill was out early for 9, but Nitish Rana remained till the end and scored a gritty half-century (53-ball 81)and stiched a fabulous 56-ball 115-run 4th wicket stand with Sunil Narine (32-ball 64) to power Kolkata Knight Riders to 194/6 at Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Moments after scoring his half-century innings, he showed a jersey on the field with his father-in-law's name, Surinder Marwah, written on it. Actually, it was tribute from Rana to his father-in-law, who reportedly succumbed to cancer yesterday.
As soon as Nitish Rana completed his half-century against Delhi with the help of 7 fours and a six off just 35 balls, a player brought a jersey from the dugout. Usually the batsman picks up his bat after scoring a half-century, but Nitish Rana showed the jersey to everyone. Surinder was the name written on that jersey. The name was of none other than his beloved father-in-law Surinder Marwah, who passed away due to cancer on Friday.
"A heart-warming tribute from @NitishRana_27 to his father-in-law, who passed away yesterday. Surinder Marwah. Rest in peace sir," read a tweet from KKR that also featured Rana's celebration.
In today's match against Delhi Capitals, Nitish Rana scored 81 runs off just 53 balls with the help of 13 fours and 1 six. He scored with a strike rate of 152.83 and helped the team reach a mammoth total. KKR lost their top-three batsmen for just 42 runs. Even after this, Kolkata scored 194 runs for loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs.
IN IPL 2020, Nitish Rana has scored 265 runs in 11 matches. During this time, his average is of 24.09. The stylish KKR opener has scored two half-centuries so far this season.