Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have successfully clinched a spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final after a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1. The riveting encounter took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where KKR showcased an all-round performance to dismantle SRH and secure their fourth final appearance and first since 2021.
The day began with SRH captain Pat Cummins winning the toss and opting to bat first, a decision rooted in confidence given their formidable batting line-up that had been a highlight of the season. However, things took a dramatic turn when Mitchell Starc, with the new ball in hand, delivered a beauty that knocked over Travis Head’s stumps on the second delivery of the match – setting an ominous tone.
The powerplay was a theater of chaos and excitement. While SRH aimed to stabilize and impose their batting style, KKR relentlessly pursued wickets. SRH’s initial breakthroughs came rapidly, dampening their spirits. Abhishek Sharma was caught at cover by Andre Russell off Vaibhav Arora in just the second over. Starc ramped up the pressure further in the fifth over, sending Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed packing in quick succession. Reddy top-edged a delivery into the hands of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while Shahbaz, promoted ahead of Heinrich Klaasen, played on his first ball. At 39 for four within five overs, SRH were in a precarious position.
However, a significant partnership between Klaasen and Rahul Tripathi offered hope. The duo combined for a 61-run stand over the next six overs, targeting KKR bowlers with calculated aggression. Sunil Narine’s ninth over saw Klaasen deposit a colossal six, adding 18 runs to the total in that over alone, signaling SRH’s intent to shift gears. Tripathi continued his resilient fight, reaching his fifty in the 11th over with a reverse sweep off Varun Chakaravarthy.
Despite this resurgence, SRH’s innings saw further turmoil. Klaasen perished for 32, caught at deep mid-wicket by Rinku Singh during an attempt for another boundary. Abdul Samad’s arrival provided brief fireworks, hitting Narine for consecutive sixes, but a miscommunication with Tripathi resulted in the latter’s run-out for 55, leaving SRH at a shaky 121 for six.
In the latter stages, Cummins shouldered the responsibility to push SRH’s total past 150. His 30 off 24 balls was a crucial innings, seamlessly blending cautious boundaries with audacious hits.
. His efforts somewhat salvaged the innings, despite falling in the last over, ensuring SRH set a competitive 159-run target. KKR’s bowlers, particularly Starc (3 for 34) and Chakaravarthy (2 for 26), were instrumental in restricting SRH, with their efforts complemented by sharp fielding.
KKR’s chase began with blistering intent. An experimental opening duo of Gurbaz and Narine paid off handsomely. Gurbaz, making his first appearance of the tournament, set the pace by striking the second ball for a four. Narine’s tactical aggression further put pressure on the SRH bowlers, as he and Gurbaz took turns in dismantling Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s deliveries. T Natarajan’s introduction in the fourth over offered SRH a brief reprieve as he dismissed Gurbaz for 23, yet this did not curtail KKR’s momentum.
Venkatesh Iyer’s entry ramped up the intensity even further. Alongside Narine, Iyer sustained the onslaught, ensuring KKR amassed 63 runs in the powerplay. After Narine’s departure for 21, caught at deep square-leg off Cummins, the Iyers – Shreyas and Venkatesh – took complete control. They managed the required run-rate expertly, all while playing their natural, attacking game.
Despite SRH’s fielding lapses, including missed reviews and dropped catches, KKR stayed on course. Venkatesh’s majestic sixes and Shreyas’s boundary spree neutralized SRH’s efforts. Venkatesh’s half-century came with a mid-wicket pull off Nitish, taking just 28 balls. Shreyas followed suit, efficiently dispatching deliveries for boundaries and reaching his fifty off just 23 balls. It was Shreyas who sealed the victory with a towering six over long-on, concluding the innings at 13.4 overs with KKR at 161 for two.
This emphatic win means KKR now gear up for the grand finale of TATA IPL 2024. Meanwhile, SRH aren’t out of the race yet; they will face the Eliminator’s winner – either Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Rajasthan Royals – for another chance to reach the final, underscoring the unpredictable and thrilling nature of this year’s IPL.