Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to earn their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. The electrifying clash unfolded at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where KKR displayed an all-round mastery against their opponents. KKR’s bowlers managed to contain SRH to a modest 159, a feat achieved through sharp bowling and solid fielding. The victory marks KKR’s fourth appearance in the IPL final, their first since 2021, showcasing their resolve and skill.
The day began with SRH captain Pat Cummins winning the toss and opting to bat first. Known for their aggressive batting prowess throughout the tournament, SRH aimed to capitalize on early runs. However, KKR’s Mitchell Starc, with the new ball in hand, disrupted their plans almost immediately. Off just the second delivery, he clean-bowled Travis Head, setting the tone for a challenging powerplay for SRH.
Drama encapsulated the first six overs as SRH struggled against a tenacious KKR bowling attack. Rahul Tripathi, with grit and determination, tried to anchor the innings for SRH, taking calculated risks and frequently opting for aerial strokes. Unfortunately for SRH, wickets kept tumbling from the other end. Vaibhav Arora claimed the scalp of Abhishek Sharma, caught by Andre Russell, while Starc added to his tally by dismissing Nitish Reddy. Shahbaz Ahmed, promoted up the order, fell to Starc’s delivery, his innings ending on the very first ball. A precarious 39 for four was SRH’s tally by the sixth over.
Amid the top-order collapse, the partnership between Klaasen and Tripathi offered a ray of hope for SRH. The duo added a crucial 61 runs over the next six overs. Sunil Narine, tasked with containing the batters, faced aggression as Klaasen launched a huge six during the ninth over. Tripathi reached his half-century in a fine manner, demonstrating relentless spirit despite pressure.
However, the innings took a downturn when Klaasen’s promising 32-run knock ended in the clutches of Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket.
. Abdul Samad, with a bang, hit his first ball for a six off Narine, but a miscommunication with Tripathi led to the latter being run out after a valiant 55. As SRH teetered on 121 for six, Cummins sought to steer them towards a respectable final score. The SRH captain’s quickfire 30 ensured they managed to cross the 150-mark, although the regular fall of wickets hindered their momentum. Cummins’ cameo, culminating in a 159-run total for SRH, was not enough to break KKR’s stride.
KKR, chasing a modest target, began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine opening the innings. Gurbaz, seizing the opportunity in his first match of the season, dispatched the second ball for four. Narine, not to be outdone, joined the attack against Pat Cummins in the second over, stacking runs efficiently with Gurbaz. Despite a minor setback when Gurbaz fell for 23 attempting an extravagant shot, KKR persisted in their pursuit of victory.
Venkatesh Iyer soon took charge, ensuring the powerplay yielded a robust 63 runs for KKR. Narine’s brief but impactful innings ended, but the Iyer duo, Shreyas and Venkatesh, advanced with composure and tactical brilliance. SRH, plagued by fielding lapses and ineffective reviews, found it challenging to apply any real pressure.
Venkatesh reached his 50 in style with a well-executed shot over mid-wicket, setting the stage for Shreyas Iyer’s exploits. Shreyas rapidly followed suit, striking boundaries with precision, ultimately reaching his own half-century with a combination of fierce shots.
In merely 13.4 overs, KKR sealed their route to the final with a breathtaking six, highlighting the dominance of their campaign. The margin of victory, eight wickets and 38 balls to spare, painted a vivid picture of KKR’s prowess.
As KKR set their sights on the IPL 2024 title, SRH will regroup and aim to secure the remaining spot in the final through the second qualifier, confronting the winner of the eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. The road ahead holds potential silver linings for SRH, while KKR basks in their well-earned position for the championship decider.