In an emphatic demonstration of skill and prowess, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a resounding victory in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final, overpowering the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This venue holds special significance for the Knights, as it was here in 2012 that they tasted IPL victory for the first time. Fast forward to May 26, 2024, and history repeated itself as KKR lifted their third IPL trophy, underscoring their dominance with both bat and ball.
The stage was set for a riveting contest as the Sunrisers Hyderabad, having won the toss, opted to bat. It was a decision keenly contested by KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, who, before the match, expressed his preference for bowling first. His confidence in his bowling unit was soon justified, as the KKR bowlers executed a clinical performance to restrict SRH to a paltry score of 113. The chase was a mere formality for KKR, who dashed to the target in just 10.3 overs, securing victory with eight wickets to spare.
Mitchell Starc set the tone with a sensational opening spell that left SRH reeling. Reprising his Man of the Match performance from a previous clash between these teams in Ahmedabad, Starc delivered a masterclass in fast bowling. From the outset, he troubled SRH opener Abhishek Sharma with his signature swing, and it wasn’t long before Starc’s precision paid dividends. A delivery that pitched on middle-stump and moved just enough to beat Abhishek’s bat ended in the batter’s off-stump being knocked back—a contender for the ball of the tournament.
Vaibhav Arora complemented Starc’s brilliance by removing the dangerous Travis Head with his first delivery. The SRH top-order was in tatters at six for two, stunning the capacity crowd. The potent opening pair of the tournament found themselves heading back to the pavilion, evidence of KKR’s incisive bowling strategy. The early breakthrough allowed KKR to tighten their grip on the game. Rahul Tripathi managed just one aggressive shot before he was dismissed to a miscued shot, off Starc, caught at mid-wicket.
With the powerplay in full swing, SRH sought a semblance of recovery through Nitish Reddy, whose aggressive batting garnered a much-needed six.
. However, as soon as the powerplay concluded, the miseries resumed for SRH. Reddy was caught behind off a clever short ball from Harshit Rana, who, along with Andre Russell, put the opposition through the wringer with wicket-taking deliveries.
SRH’s middle order crumbled as efficiently as their top order. Andre Russell piled further pressure by dismissing Aiden Markram, whose attempt to clear long-on ended in Starc’s safe hands. Wickets fell steadily—Shahbaz Ahmed was caught at short fine leg, and Abdul Samad’s valiant attempt to inject momentum was thwarted by Russell.
Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal by Rana confirmed SRH’s plight, with the score nowhere near a formidable total. Batting at number seven, Pat Cummins top-scored with 24, ensuring SRH crossed the hundred mark. His fightback, punctuated by a dropped catch from Starc, delayed what seemed inevitable—the end of the innings came when Cummins was caught at long-on, once again by Starc.
In pursuit of a modest target, KKR opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz commenced with flair, cutting his second ball to the boundary. Sunil Narine swiftly followed suit with a six off Cummins, yet was soon caught with an ambitious shot. The minor setback was swiftly countered by Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive onslaught, showcasing a display of mixed aggression, including two sixes and a boundary in Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s over.
KKR crossed their fifty inside just five overs, powered by Iyer’s belligerence. Gurbaz, showing signs of acceleration post-powerplay, enjoyed the spinners’ entry to elevate the score further. Though he departed for 39, the foundation for KKR’s win had been unshakably set.
Venkatesh Iyer maintained his momentum to an explosive finish, reaching his half-century in a mere 24 balls and lending the final touch to KKR’s victory with the winning run. As the ball raced to the boundary, an ecstatic KKR squad stormed the field, rejoicing in their glorious triple triumph in the IPL annals. This comprehensive victory attests to KKR’s formidable strength in the league, marking yet another proud chapter in their illustrious journey.