In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) claimed victory in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, overtaking the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with resounding success in the final match held at the prestigious MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The echoes of a similar triumph in 2012 reverberated through the stadium as KKR, once again at this iconic venue, lifted their third IPL trophy on May 26, 2024, marking a momentous occasion for the franchise and its ardent supporters.
In an electrifying atmosphere, the final commenced with SRH winning the toss and electing to bat first—a decision that quickly unravelled in the face of KKR’s relentless bowling attack. KKR’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, had been inclined to bowl first, placing immense faith in his bowlers’ capabilities. This faith was impeccably justified by their performance as they held SRH to a mere 113 runs, a target comfortably chased by KKR in just 10.3 overs with a mere two wickets lost.
It was the phenomenal bowling prowess of Mitchell Starc that set the tone for KKR. Renowned for his capability to lead from the front, Starc, who had already starred as the Player of the Match in the teams’ previous encounter in Ahmedabad, delivered a mesmerizing opening over. Abhishek Sharma, opting to take the strike for the initial delivery instead of Travis Head, found himself confronting Starc’s strategic masterpiece. The crescendo of the moment was delivered with the fifth ball—a delivery regarded by many as one of the pinnacle moments of the tournament. The ball executed a precise trajectory from middle-stump, subtly veering to unseat the prolific SRH opener with a precise impact on the top off.
Buoyed by the early breakthrough, KKR’s momentum was augmented by Vaibhav Arora’s enigmatic spell. As Travis Head took guard against Arora, he succumbed to an external edge, sending a simple catch to the wicketkeeper, a defining moment that left SRH struggling at six for two and KKR in command. Seizing early control, the bowlers maintained a stringent grip on run-scoring opportunities, resulting in SRH managing their first boundary only in the third over.
Starc, however, was not content with mere early success. Returning to attack in the fifth over, he claimed the wicket of Rahul Tripathi, who mistimed a strike to sky the ball only for it to be cleanly caught at mid-wicket. For SRH, a glimpse of hope arrived briefly during the powerplay when 17 runs were accrued from an over bowled by Arora, courtesy of a six by Nitish Reddy. Yet, KKR’s bowlers, led by tireless performances from Andre Russell and Harshit Rana, sustained the pressure.
. Their consistent wicket-taking spells were bolstered by the economical efforts of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Further damage was inflicted post-powerplay when Nitish Reddy was caught behind off Rana, while a procession of incoming batsmen saw limited reprieve. Russell’s knack for impact saw the dismissals of Aiden Markram, who holed out at long-on, and Abdul Samad, the tagged impact player, falling victim to the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Heinrich Klaasen, aiming to steer SRH towards a competitive score, was bowled by Rana, leaving SRH teetering precariously, having yet to reach the century-debt mark.
In the lower order, Pat Cummins stood as a formidable presence, fighting valiantly to uplift SRH’s score to three figures. Notably, Cummins found fortune in the form of a dropped catch by Starc, yet in a poetic twist, his valiant endeavour ended when he was caught by Starc himself in the 19th over.
KKR’s adept pursuit of a compelling third title commenced assertively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz initiating the chase with an emphatic boundary. Pat Cummins, endeavouring to reverse SRH’s fortunes, faced adversity as Sunil Narine dispatched his first delivery for a six. However, Narine’s bid to go big again ended in a top-edged catch on the leg-side. Any residual anxiety quickly dissipated in the subsequent over when Venkatesh Iyer showcased his sparkling form.
Venkatesh, exhibiting a masterclass in aggressive batting, pummeled two sixes and a four, notably from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, exuding authority and poise. KKR surged past the fifty-run mark within five overs as Venkatesh’s explosive power propelled the innings forward with remarkable speed. His audacious stroke play found focus through the leg-side, bringing KKR’s powerplay total to an imposing 72 for one.
As the spinners took charge post-powerplay, Gurbaz shifted gears, further expediting KKR’s charge towards the target. Crossing 100 runs within nine overs, Gurbaz, unfortunately, departed after scoring 39, yet played a quintessential role in their ascent. The game’s conclusion was a fitting exhibition as the Iyer-duo combined efforts towards crowning KKR’s maiden triumph of the year. Venkatesh sealed his half-century in mere 24 balls, ushering the KKR side towards a ceremonious final dance with the trophy secured as the winning runs were scored. The jubilation that ensued highlighted an unforgettable night for the Kolkata Knight Riders, symbolising yet another glorious chapter written in the annals of IPL history.