Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have secured their place in the annals of cricketing history by winning the IPL 2024 championship with a commanding performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory marks their third IPL title, reiterating their status as one of the premier franchises in the competition. Incidentally, the venue holds fond memories for KKR fans, as it was the same ground where the team first lifted the trophy back in 2012. On May 26, 2024, the team, led by Shreyas Iyer, replicated their previous feat with a comprehensive victory, showcasing both tactical acumen and sporting excellence.
As the pivotal match commenced, SRH won the toss and opted to bat, a decision that KKR’s captain Shreyas Iyer admitted he would have preferred. This set the stage for KKR’s bowlers to shine, and they delivered an impressive performance, restricting the SRH line-up, known for its explosive batting, to a mere 113 runs. The chase was a mere formality for KKR, reaching the target in just 10.3 overs with a dominant eight-wicket margin, reflecting their all-round supremacy.
The match opened with Mitchell Starc taking charge with the new ball. Having had a stellar performance in the previous encounter against SRH in Ahmedabad, all eyes were on him, and he did not disappoint. In the very first over, Starc set the tone by delivering what can only be described as one of the balls of the tournament. Targeting the renowned SRH opener Abhishek Sharma, Starc pitched a delivery that hit the middle stump and swung away slightly, enough to take the bails. The dismantling of SRH’s opening duo was underway.
Subsequently, Vaibhav Arora, inspired by Starc’s brilliance, showcased his craft. Travis Head, another formidable SRH opener, faced Arora with the same result. The left-handed batsman edged a delivery to the wicketkeeper, setting SRH back at a precarious six for two. The early breakthrough by KKR’s attack dismantled SRH’s high-flying start, proving crucial for the Knight Riders’ strategy.
Despite the early setbacks, SRH struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined KKR bowling unit. The powerplay overs were dominated by KKR, allowing only a solitary boundary by SRH in the third over. Starc soon returned to claim another vital wicket, dismissing Rahul Tripathi, who mistimed a shot for an easy catch at mid-wicket. The impact of the economical pressure created by KKR’s bowlers was evident as SRH’s run-rate languished.
Some relief came for SRH in the form of 17 runs from the last over of the powerplay, with Nitish Reddy hitting the first six of the innings.
. But the respite was brief. As the match progressed into the middle overs, KKR bowlers Andre Russell and Harshit Rana wreaked further havoc. While Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy kept things tidy with economical spells, Russell and Rana took wickets to keep SRH in disarray.
The wickets tumbled at regular intervals for SRH. Reddy was caught behind, soon followed by Aiden Markram holing out at long-on. The innings continued to stutter as Abdul Samad, the impact player, fell victim to Russell’s canny bowling. Just when SRH needed stability, Heinrich Klaasen’s wicket further disintegrated any potential for recovery, sending SRH’s hopes of a strong finish into disarray.
Pat Cummins managed a fighting innings to eke out some runs, ending as the top scorer with a modest 24. His innings temporarily extended SRH’s resistance but eventually concluded in the 19th over. Ironically, it was Starc who claimed the catch at long-on to end SRH’s grueling innings.
The KKR run chase was brisk, initiated by Rahmanullah Gurbaz striking the second ball for a four. Sunil Narine provided a fiery cameo by smashing a six off the first ball he faced from Cummins. However, in an effort to continue the aggressive innings, Narine was caught, but the jitters for KKR soon vanished thanks to Venkatesh Iyer’s flamboyance in the next over.
Venkatesh Iyer took no time to spearhead the chase, coming out with aggression. He plundered two sixes and a boundary within a single over, leaving SRH bowlers scrambling for answers. KKR crossed the fifty-run mark in less than five overs, displaying their batting intent and confidence. Both Iyer and Gurbaz made light work of the chase, with Iyer dominating through the leg-side.
Within nine overs, the KKR crossed the coveted 100-run mark, testament to their uncompromising approach in this title-decider. Gurbaz departed for 39, but the foundation was firmly laid. As the target loomed, Venkatesh Iyer reached his half-century in an assertive manner, sealing victory with aplomb.
The winning runs arrived quickly, which sent the KKR camp into euphoria as players and coaching staff flooded the field in celebration of their triumph. The victory not only marked a significant achievement in KKR’s storied IPL history but also solidified the team’s reputation as a dominant force, etched into the legacy of the Indian Premier League.