The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) showcased their dominance by overpowering the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a commanding eight-wicket victory, securing their spot in the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The highly anticipated match was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where KKR’s bowlers and batters put on a splendid display to restrict SRH to 159 and chase down the target with ease, marking KKR’s fourth appearance in the IPL final and their first since 2021.
The spotlight was on SRH captain Pat Cummins, who won the toss and opted to bat first, banking on his side’s formidable batting line-up that had consistently entertained audiences throughout the season. The anticipation was palpable as Mitchell Starc took the new ball, steaming in to bowl the first over to Travis Head. In a dramatic moment, off only the second ball, Starc tore through Head’s defenses, dislodging the stumps and giving KKR an electrifying start.
The powerplay overs were nothing short of dramatic. A fiery contest emerged between SRH’s batsmen, determined to play their aggressive brand of cricket, and KKR’s bowlers, relentlessly attacking in search of wickets. Amid this battle, Rahul Tripathi stood out as a beacon of hope for SRH, counterattacking with fearless shot-making and aerial strokes, despite losing partners at the other end. In the second over, Abhishek Sharma fell prey to Vaibhav Arora, caught sharply by Andre Russell. Starc then returned to wreak havoc in the fifth over, dismissing Nitish Reddy with a top-edge and sending Shahbaz Ahmed back to the pavilion for a golden duck.
At 39 for four in five overs, SRH found themselves in deep trouble until Heinrich Klaasen joined Tripathi to steady the ship. They forged a resilient 61-run partnership across the next six overs. SRH attempted to shift momentum by attacking KKR’s seasoned spinner Sunil Narine in the ninth over, with Klaasen hammering a colossal six straight down the ground, racking up 18 runs from the over. Tripathi brought up his quickfire fifty in the 11th over, showcasing remarkable grit under pressure with productive sweeps and innovative strokes.
Nevertheless, SRH’s innings wavered once again as Klaasen perished while attempting a big shot, caught by Rinku Singh in the deep for 32. Abdul Samad entered with intent, striking Narine for consecutive sixes but soon after, a miscommunication with Tripathi led to his run-out, leaving SRH at 121 for six with Tripathi trudging back dejectedly for 55 runs.
As the innings progressed, only captain Pat Cummins offered significant resistance, scoring a valuable 30 off 24 balls and helping SRH surpass the 150-mark. His late onslaught, which included a four and a six off the last two deliveries from Starc, added vital runs to the tally before he was dismissed in the final over. SRH wrapped up their innings at 159.
. While it was a comprehensive team effort from the KKR bowlers, Starc stood out with figures of three for 34, supported economically by Varun Chakaravarthy who claimed two for 26. The KKR fielders also showed exemplary commitment, creating and capitalizing on opportunities throughout the innings.
KKR’s chase began with blistering intent, as if they were targeting over 200 runs. Changing the usual line-up, Rahmanullah Gurbaz partnered with Sunil Narine to open the innings. Gurbaz, playing his maiden match of the tournament, immediately made an impact, striking the second ball for a boundary. Narine and Gurbaz continued their aggressive strokes, dispatching Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for boundaries and sixes, establishing a rapid start.
Despite losing Gurbaz for 23 in the fourth over, caught off the bowling of T Natarajan, KKR maintained their momentum. Venkatesh Iyer took the crease with an aggressive mindset, and together with Narine, ensured KKR amassed 63 runs within the powerplay. Narine’s brisk 21-run cameo ended when he was caught off a delivery from Cummins.
The Iyers, Shreyas and Venkatesh, then took control of the chase. They maintained a steady required rate while playing with freedom. SRH struggled in the field, losing both their reviews early and missing crucial chances to dismiss Shreyas Iyer. Venkatesh showcased his power-hitting, clearing the ropes with ease, while Shreyas provided stabilizing support and timely boundaries.
With the target within reach, Venkatesh reached his half-century in 28 balls with a massive six off Nitish Reddy’s bowling. Shreyas soon followed, bringing up his fifty in just 23 balls with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Fittingly, the KKR captain sealed the victory with a towering six, completing the chase in a mere 13.4 overs with eight wickets in hand and 38 balls to spare, highlighting KKR’s dominance throughout the match.
As KKR prepare for the grand finale, SRH have a second chance to make it to the final by facing the victor of the Eliminator match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. The stage is set for an exciting climax to the 2024 IPL season.