The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) displayed an impressive all-around performance to overpower the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, securing their spot in the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The electrifying match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed KKR’s bowlers dominate, restricting SRH’s formidable batting line-up to a mere 159. The KKR batsmen then chased down the target with relative ease, marking their fourth appearance in an IPL final, their first since the year 2021.
The stage was set with SRH’s captain, Pat Cummins, winning the toss and opting to bat first. This decision was in line with their strategy throughout the season, relying on their aggressive batting prowess to enthrall fans and opponents alike. The opening bowler for KKR, Mitchell Starc, wasted no time in making an impact, dismissing Travis Head with a stunning delivery that sent the stumps flying on just the second ball of the innings. This early wicket set the tone for KKR’s dominant display.
What followed was a powerplay filled with intense competition and drama. SRH attempted to fight back by sticking to their attacking game plan while KKR relentlessly pursued wickets. Amidst this battle, Rahul Tripathi emerged as a beacon of hope for SRH, countering KKR’s pressure with aggressive stroke play and taking the aerial route. Despite his valiant efforts, support from the other end was lacking as SRH lost three more wickets early in the innings. Abhishek Sharma fell to Vaibhav Arora, caught by Andre Russell in the covers. Starc returned to deal a double blow in the fifth over, with Nitish Reddy caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shahbaz Ahmed clean bowled on his first delivery. By the end of the fifth over, SRH found themselves in deep trouble at 39 for four.
Nonetheless, SRH’s prospects brightened briefly with a solid partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Tripathi. The duo put together a 61-run stand in just six overs, bringing a glimmer of hope back to the SRH camp. This aggressive stand featured Klaasen taking on Sunil Narine in the ninth over, hammering him for 18 runs, including a towering six. Tripathi achieved his half-century in the 11th over in just 29 deliveries, maintaining an impressive strike rate amidst the adversity.
Despite this partnership, SRH’s innings faltered once more. Klaasen succumbed to a catch at deep mid-wicket, departing for 32 runs. Abdul Samad tried to infuse some firepower, blasting Narine for a massive six upon arrival and another one in the next over. However, a mix-up with Tripathi led to a critical run out, with Tripathi exiting for 55.
. SRH staggered at 121 for six, their innings teetering on the edge.
In the closing overs, only captain Pat Cummins managed to display some resistance, contributing a valuable 30 off 24 balls and guiding SRH past the 150-run mark amidst a cascade of wickets. Cummins’ final act was to spoil Starc’s otherwise impressive figures with a four and a six off his last two balls. SRH’s innings concluded at 159 for nine, with KKR’s bowling attack, led by Starc’s three for 34 and Chakravarthy’s economical two for 26, proving their mettle.
KKR’s chase was as emphatic as their bowling performance. They approached their target as if it exceeded 200, displaying their intent from the outset. A change in the batting line-up saw Gurbaz open alongside Narine, and the move paid off handsomely. Gurbaz, playing his first match of the tournament, immediately made his presence felt with a boundary off the game’s second ball. Narine, too, joined the charge, taking on Cummins with two quick boundaries in his first over, as Gurbaz top-edged one for a six over third-man.
KKR continued their aggression, quickly putting SRH on the back foot. T Natarajan provided SRH with a glimmer of hope, claiming the first wicket by dismissing Gurbaz for 23. However, Venkatesh Iyer, the next man in, kept the momentum alive, tallying 63 runs within the powerplay. Narine’s brief yet impactful stay came to an end when he was caught at deep square-leg off Cummins for 21 runs.
Shreyas Iyer then joined Venkatesh, and together, they masterminded the rest of the chase. The Iyers exhibited impeccable gameplay, with Venkatesh putting on a show by sending several deliveries over the ropes. Despite SRH’s attempts to regain control, missed reviews and dropped catches left them struggling.
In a flourish, Venkatesh reached his half-century with a powerful six over mid-wicket, having taken just 28 balls. Not to be outdone, Shreyas also brought up his fifty in style, smacking multiple boundaries off Travis Head’s bowling. With a massive six over long-on, Shreyas sealed the victory for KKR in 13.4 overs, with 38 balls to spare and eight wickets in hand, a true testament to the team’s dominance.
As KKR advances to the final, SRH will look to regroup and prepare for another shot at the title. They will face the winner of the Eliminator match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals for a chance to challenge KKR once again in the grand finale.