In an electrifying climax to the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) showcased an all-around performance to seize victory against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the highly-anticipated final. Held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, a ground steeped in history for KKR, the match witnessed a mesmerizing replay of their first triumph back in 2012. On May 26, 2024, KKR etched their name on the coveted IPL trophy for the third time, outshining SRH with both bat and ball.
From the outset, the tone was set by KKR’s formidable bowling attack, which limited SRH’s batsmen to a meager total of 113. This restrained target was effortlessly surpassed in merely 10.3 overs, with KKR retaining eight wickets to spare—an emphatic demonstration of their cricketing prowess.
The action began with SRH winning the toss and opting to bat first, a decision that aligned perfectly with the preference of KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who had hoped to bowl first. Led by the unequivocal talent of Mitchell Starc, the KKR bowlers executed an exceptional strategy. Starc, previously acclaimed as the Player of the Match in a key encounter in Ahmedabad against the same opponents, continued to mesmerize with his lethal deliveries.
An intriguing twist at the start of the match saw Abhishek Sharma take the strike, deviating from SRH’s usual strategy of opening with Travis Head. As Starc took the new ball, the first over was a spectacle of precision—each delivery probing Sharma’s defenses. The fifth ball became a defining moment as Starc’s delivery, impeccably pitched on middle-stump, gently swung away to silence the in-form Sharma, hitting the top of off-stump as he was squared up.
Following Starc’s initial breakthrough, Vaibhav Arora joined the bowling assault with moments of brilliance. Facing his very first delivery, Travis Head succumbed to Arora’s delivery that shaped away, resulting in an edge to the wicketkeeper. With the score reading six for two, KKR had effectively dismantled SRH’s feared opening duo within the first few overs.
The pressure was palpable as SRH struggled to find momentum, with KKR’s relentless bowlers stealing the spotlight during the powerplay. SRH’s batsmen were left searching for runs, and their first boundary surfaced only in the third over. As if Starc’s earlier magic wasn’t enough, he returned with another stunt, overpowering Rahul Tripathi who mistimed a stroke to mid-wicket attempting a lofty hit.
The sixth over provided a temporary relief for SRH as they gleaned 17 runs, bowled by Arora. It was here that Nitish Reddy struck the first six for SRH.
. Yet, KKR menaced further as Andre Russell and Harshit Rana succeeded in breaking SRH’s remaining resolve with more wicket-taking spells. The combined efforts of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, delivering economically efficient overs, further tightened KKR’s grip on the game.
Reddy fell victim to Rana shortly after the powerplay concluded, caught behind with a sharp delivery. Russell played his part in dismissing Aiden Markram for 20, snatched neatly at long-on by Starc. Shahbaz Ahmed too was caught early in his innings, the victim of Chakaravarthy.
The dismissal of Abdul Samad, SRH’s impact player, by Russell marked a critical juncture. In the 15th over, Heinrich Klaasen was bowled out by Rana, leaving SRH precariously placed without even breaching the 100-run mark. Pat Cummins, demonstrating grit, fought valiantly to rally SRH’s innings, closing as the top-scorer with 24. Estending SRH’s innings after being dropped by Starc, ironically, the innings concluded when he found Starc again at long-on in the 19th over.
Chasing a modest 114, KKR’s pursuit began assertively as Rahmanullah Gurbaz sliced the second ball through point for four. With Cummins delivering the second over, Narine unleashed his own offensive with a massive six over mid-wicket but paid the price soon after, caught from a top-edge. Despite this hiccup, any nerves KKR might have had dissipated swiftly as Venkatesh Iyer made a commanding entrance, dispatching two sixes and a four in quick succession.
Aggression was the theme as the run-chase raced on, with KKR amassing fifty within five overs. Gurbaz played with calculated patience, while Venkatesh was relentless from the start, particularly targeting the leg-side. KKR concluded the powerplay at an impressive 72 for one.
Once the spinners were introduced post-powerplay, Gurbaz shifted into high gear too, bolstering KKR past the 100-run threshold inside nine overs. Though dismissed for 39, Gurbaz’s contribution had been decisive in steering KKR toward victory.
The final act saw Venkatesh Iyer completing his half-century in a mere 24 balls, the winning boundary following soon after. The stadium erupted as KKR’s players dashed onto the field to revel in their triumph, marking the end of a thrilling final and the celebration of their third IPL championship.