Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reigned supreme once again, capturing the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 title with a comprehensive victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a final that displayed their remarkable all-round capabilities. Taking center stage at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where KKR had won their maiden title in 2012, they reenacted history by clinching their third trophy on May 26, 2024. KKR’s formidable bowling lineup restricted SRH to a meager total of 113, which they effortlessly chased down in just 10.3 overs, securing a decisive eight-wicket win.
At the toss, KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed his preference to bowl first, a decision that bore fruit as SRH opted to bat. KKR’s bowlers validated Iyer’s trust with an authoritative performance, spearheaded by the lethal left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc, who was the Player of the Match in the previous encounter between the two teams in Ahmedabad.
In a strategic move following the events of Qualifier 1, SRH sent Abhishek Sharma to open instead of Travis Head, with Starc taking the new ball. The Australian paceman began probing right from the first over, and off the fifth ball, delivered what could arguably be one of the balls of the tournament. The ball curled in exquisitely from outside the middle-stump, leaving Abhishek squared up and his off-stump pegged back, much to the delight of the KKR camp.
Starc’s early breakthroughs were complemented by Vaibhav Arora, who didn’t take long to make his presence felt. As Travis Head faced his maiden delivery, Arora enticed a thick edge to the wicketkeeper, reducing SRH to a precarious six for the loss of two wickets. This early double-strike dismantled what had been one of the most potent opening pairs in the tournament.
The early damage meant SRH struggled to stabilize, as KKR persisted with their frontline bowlers during the powerplay. SRH could only manage their first boundary in the third over, and Starc was not finished yet. On his return in the fifth over, he dismissed Rahul Tripathi, who sliced a skier to mid-wicket attempting an imprudent big shot.
There was a brief respite for SRH in the powerplay as they gathered 17 runs off the sixth over bowled by Arora, with Nitish Reddy cracking the first six of their innings. But the middle-overs saw KKR’s bowling ensemble, featuring Andre Russell and Harshit Rana, tighten the noose with impactful spells. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy contributed economic overs, ensuring SRH never got any momentum.
.
Reddy was caught behind off the elegant Rana soon after the powerplay ended. Russell continued with his wicket-taking ways by removing Aiden Markram for 20, who attempted to muscle Starc at long-on but holed out. Shahbaz Ahmed fell early, caught at short fine-leg off Chakaravarthy, adding to the mounting pressure for SRH.
KKR’s vice-like grip tightened when Abdul Samad, SRH’s impact player, edged one to the keeper off Russell. Rana dealt a massive blow by clean-bowling Heinrich Klaasen in the 15th over, leaving SRH floundering below the 100-run mark. Pat Cummins showcased determination, ending as SRH’s top-scorer with a valiant 24, extending the innings after being dropped by Starc at long-on, but eventually fell at the same position.
A target of 114 was hardly intimidating for KKR. The pursuit began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz stylishly cutting the second ball for four. SRH spearhead Cummins faced an early onslaught as Narine clobbered the first ball of his over over mid-wicket for a six. However, Narine perished while attempting another big hit, giving SRH a brief moment of hope.
But Venkatesh Iyer quickly dispelled any doubts, hammering Bhuvneshwar Kumar for two soaring sixes and a blistering four in the next over, bolstering KKR’s charge. The fifty-run mark was breached within five overs, largely due to Iyer’s aggressive intent. Gurbaz played the anchor role, allowing Iyer to flourish, particularly when the spinners entered the fray. The duo took KKR past their 100-run milestone inside nine overs.
Gurbaz departed for a well-made 39, bringing the Iyer brothers together to craft the winning moment. Venkatesh reached his quickfire half-century in just 24 balls, paving the way for KKR’s victory. He dispatched the winning shot in the next over, sparking jubilant celebrations as the KKR brigade stormed onto the field, rejoicing their well-deserved third IPL title.