The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered a powerful performance to overcome Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, securing their spot in the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This electrifying showdown took place at the prestigious Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where KKR displayed dominance with both the ball and the bat to reach their fourth IPL final, marking their first appearance since 2021.
The match commenced with SRH’s captain, Pat Cummins, winning the toss and electing to bat first. Given their aggressive batting style that has thrilled fans throughout the season, SRH hoped to post a challenging total. However, KKR’s seasoned campaigner Mitchell Starc struck early, dismantling Travis Head’s stumps with a stunning delivery off just the second ball of the match. This early setback set the tone for KKR’s bowlers, who relentlessly pursued wickets in the powerplay.
SRH faced a tumultuous start, with KKR seizing the momentum and keeping the pressure on. On the other side, Rahul Tripathi emerged as the beacon of hope for SRH, showcasing his tenacity by taking on the KKR bowlers with aerial strokes. Despite his efforts, chaos ensued as SRH’s top order crumbled. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, and Nitish Reddy were all sent back to the pavilion within the first five overs. Adding to the woes, Shahbaz Ahmed fell for a golden duck, leaving SRH staggering at 39 for four.
A crucial partnership then unfolded between Heinrich Klaasen and Tripathi, offering SRH a glimmer of hope. The duo added 61 runs in the ensuing six overs, injecting life into SRH’s innings. When Sunil Narine entered the attack in the ninth over, Klaasen greeted him with a towering six, aiming to set a positive tone against Narine’s spin. Meanwhile, Tripathi reached his half-century in style, reverse-sweeping Varun Chakaravarthy for a boundary and achieving the milestone in just 29 balls.
Unfortunately for SRH, their innings lost stability after Klaasen’s dismissal at deep mid-wicket. Abdul Samad’s fiery intent was evident as he smashed Sunil Narine for an enormous six with his very first delivery. The drama continued as a mix-up between Tripathi and Samad resulted in Tripathi’s run-out for 55, leaving SRH precariously poised at 121 for six.
In the ensuing overs, Pat Cummins stepped up for SRH, contributing a resilient innings of 30 off 24 deliveries, as wickets continued to tumble around him. Cummins managed to propel the team past the 150-mark, skillfully finding the boundaries during the death overs. He successfully disrupted Starc’s economy, concluding the innings with a boundary and a six.
. Cummins eventually fell in the last over, culminating SRH’s innings at 159. Starc’s stellar spell resulted in figures of three for 34, while Chakaravarthy’s economical two for 26 played a significant role in KKR’s bowling success, well-supported by an agile fielding unit.
KKR’s chase commenced with a sense of urgency reminiscent of a formidable 200+ target. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, returning to the line-up, showcased great composure by hitting the second ball for a four. Accompanied by Narine, the duo capitalized on each opportunity. When Cummins bowled the second over, Narine unleashed a couple of boundaries, followed by a top-edged six from Gurbaz. This aggressive approach resulted in high scoring and an early breakthrough for SRH when Natarajan dismissed Gurbaz for 23.
Despite losing wickets, KKR maintained a brisk pace. Narine and Venkatesh Iyer’s promising partnership continued the momentum, contributing 63 within the powerplay. Narine’s aggressive 21-run cameo ended as he fell to Cummins, holing out towards deep square-leg.
Venkatesh and Shreyas Iyer then took control, ensuring the required rate remained under control without compromising their attacking instincts. SRH faced further challenges with fielding lapses including dropped catches and unsuccessful reviews. Venkatesh Iyer provided the fireworks, launching a series of sixes that thrilled spectators. Shreyas joined in the assault, dispatching boundaries with ease, orchestrating a seamless chase.
As the target drew close, Venkatesh Iyer achieved his half-century with a thunderous pull over mid-wicket. Shreyas followed suit, showcasing finesse and power, as he dominated the final phase with a series of boundary hits, culminating in a significant six over long-on. KKR completed the chase in just 13.4 overs, with 38 balls to spare and eight wickets intact, reflecting their supremacy on the field.
With this commanding victory, KKR advanced to the title clash, while SRH remains in contention for a final spot, awaiting the winner of the Eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. This thrilling affair sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating finale in the IPL 2024.