Triumphant KKR return to hero's welcome

The triumphant Kolkata Knight Riders returned to their base to a hero's welcome with thousands of supporters lining up at the airport, shouting team slogans and waving purple flags.
It was KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir who was the first to come out of the exit door with the glittering IPL trophy in the 1B terminal, as the team members followed the left-hander to the team bus amid boisterous chanting from the fans.
Bengal sports minister Madan Mitra and Cricket Association of Bengal officials were at the airport to receive the team as the members were garlanded and flower petals were showered on the team as they made their way to the team hotel on the EM Bypass.

The KKR team members will be given a "royal felicitation" jointly by the state government and CAB at the Eden Gardens tomorrow afternoon in a reception which will be open free to the fans.
The felicitation is expected to be on the lines of their reception programme at the same venue on May 29, two years ago when KKR had won their their maiden IPL title by winning the fifth edition of the cash-rich T20 league.
The city franchise had lost five of their first seven matches but went on to win a record nine matches in a row to win their second title in two years.

KKR held their nerves to chase down a huge 200 by Kings XI Punjab by three wickets in a pulsating final for their second IPL title, something that was earlier achieved by Chennai Super Kings.