In a thrilling conclusion to the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious with a commanding performance, securing their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This historic victory on May 26, 2024, mirrored KKR’s maiden championship triumph at the same venue back in 2012, reinforcing their legacy in the prestigious tournament.
The final clash against SRH saw the Kolkata side exhibit an outstanding all-round display, particularly with their bowlers, who effectively curtailed SRH’s formidable batting line-up to set a manageable target. KKR successfully chased down the total, reaching the target in just 10.3 overs with a commanding eight wickets in hand. The toss, which fell in favor of SRH, saw them opting to bat first, a move that KKR’s captain Shreyas Iyer admitted he would have preferred himself. However, Iyer’s faith in his bowling unit was amply rewarded as they unleashed a ferocious attack on the SRH batsmen.
Pioneering KKR’s bowling charge was the fiery Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was instrumental in their previous victory against SRH earlier in the tournament. He delivered an electrifying opening spell that laid the foundation for KKR’s success. Starc, displaying sharp swing and precision, dismantled the SRH top-order right from the beginning. His first over set the tone, as Abhishek Sharma, SRH’s prolific opener, was outdone by a phenomenal delivery that clipped the top of off-stump. Starc’s incisive bowling saw him claiming wickets rapidly, establishing early dominance for KKR.
Inspired by Starc’s intensity, his teammate Vaibhav Arora also contributed to SRH’s troubles. Arora, showcasing remarkable control and movement, dismissed Travis Head for a duck, further crippling SRH’s batting. By reducing SRH to a precarious 6 for 2, KKR had neutralized one of the most daunting opening pairs of the tournament, forcing SRH into a defensive mode.
The pressure mounted as SRH struggled to find their rhythm in the face of KKR’s relentless bowling. Runs were hard to come by, with SRH’s first boundary arriving only in the third over. Starc, unyielding in his assault, captured another crucial wicket – that of Rahul Tripathi, who attempted an unwelcome aerial shot only to be caught at mid-wicket.
. Seeking relief, SRH managed a brief respite with a 17-run over from Arora, highlighted by a six from Nitish Reddy, but could barely capitalize further.
KKR’s bowling arsenal was unrelenting, with Andre Russell and Harshit Rana delivering impactful spells that continued to dismantle the SRH innings. The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy further choked the run flow, maintaining oppressive pressure.
Post powerplay, SRH’s woes persisted as Nitish Reddy succumbed to Rana, while Russell claimed the scalp of Aiden Markram, who misjudged a shot into Starc’s hands at long-on. Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, and Heinrich Klaasen, integral components of SRH’s batting, too fell cheaply, leaving their team gasping for stability.
Despite a valiant effort by Pat Cummins, who emerged as SRH’s top-scorer with an unbeaten knock of 24, SRH’s innings crumbled, ultimately succumbing for a paltry 113 runs. Ironically, the team’s final wicket, that of Cummins, came off a catch by Starc, who had earlier given him a lifeline by dropping a similar chance.
The run chase by KKR was a display of sheer confidence and prowess. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s elegance complemented by Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive approach saw KKR off to a flier. Narine contributed briefly, smashing a six before being caught, but the momentum remained with KKR.
Venkatesh Iyer played with remarkable flair, dispatching bowlers all around the ground with finesse and force. His assault against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, consisting of consecutive sixes, underlined KKR’s command over the proceedings. By the end of the powerplay, the Kolkata side was comfortably positioned at 72 for one, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
In pursuit of their target, KKR saw Gurbaz anchoring the innings while Venkatesh Iyer accelerated. Gurbaz eventually departed after a well-made 39, but by then, victory was within touching distance. Venkatesh Iyer reached his half-century in only 24 balls, sealing the triumph with the winning runs in spectacular fashion.
As Venkatesh struck the final blow, the KKR brigade erupted in jubilant celebration, storming the field to revel in their third IPL title triumph. This decisive victory once again underscored Kolkata Knight Riders’ preeminence in the IPL, as they lifted the trophy with an outstanding team performance, leaving no doubt about their deservedness of the championship mantle.