In a thrilling display of sheer cricketing excellence, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to clinch the coveted TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 title at the illustrious MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This triumph marks KKR’s third championship win, echoing their maiden title victory at the same iconic venue back in 2012, and was achieved on May 26, 2024, through a combination of exceptional bowling and aggressive batting, leaving a lasting impression on the cricketing world.
KKR’s journey to the title was defined by a rigorous bowling attack that left SRH, known for their dynamic batting prowess, struggling to find their feet. After winning the toss, SRH captain opted to bat, a decision influenced perhaps by the pressure of the final but one that unfolded in favor of KKR. Shreyas Iyer, the astute KKR captain, expressed his preference for bowling first; a sentiment that proved pivotal as KKR bowled out SRH for a mere 113 runs. The early breakthroughs set the tone for KKR’s dominance, with Mitchell Starc spearheading the attack. Known for his lethal pace and precision, Starc effectively dismantled the SRH top order, an echo of his stellar performance in the teams’ previous face-off in Ahmedabad.
From the onset, KKR’s bowlers maintained pressure. Starc set the stage ablaze in the first over, delivering one of the finest deliveries of the tournament that clean-bowled SRH’s formidable opener, Abhishek Sharma. Vaibhav Arora, rising to the occasion, compounded SRH’s woes with impeccable swing bowling, claiming the wicket of Travis Head, a blow SRH found hard to recover from. The formidable opening duo of SRH were back in the pavilion with just six runs on the board, a testament to KKR’s calculated bowling strategy.
Despite a fleeting glimmer of hope when SRH managed to secure some runs in the powerplay, KKR’s bowlers tightened the noose. Led by Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and the strategic spins of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, KKR’s consistent line and length thwarted any attempts by SRH to build a challenging total. Aiden Markram and Shahbaz Ahmed tried to anchor the innings but succumbed to clever bowling changes and sharp field placements.
The middle and lower orders of SRH crumbled under pressure. Pat Cummins, while showing resilience, was left with minimal support.
. His gritty innings of 24 runs were the highest score for SRH—an indication of how KKR’s bowlers dictated the terms with accuracy and aggression. The innings concluded in the 19th over, leaving KKR a relatively modest target to chase.
In response, KKR’s batting order needed tenacious execution to solidify their grip on the title, and they delivered just that. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, alongside the flamboyant Venkatesh Iyer, set the stage alight. Narine provided an early flurry of runs but fell victim to an ambitious stroke. However, the commanding Venkatesh quickly dispelled any doubts with his swashbuckling performance.
Venkatesh Iyer seized control with a series of powerful hits, dispatching balls to the boundary with ease. With an aggressive mindset, he launched into the SRH bowling attack, scoring crucial runs and building an unassailable lead within the powerplay itself. His unrelenting assault saw him reach a belligerent half-century in just 24 balls, ensuring KKR’s steady progress towards victory.
The chase was swift—KKR reached their target in merely 10.3 overs, having lost only two wickets. With every run, the anticipation in the stands escalated. The crowd’s roar reached its pinnacle when Venkatesh Iyer sealed the victory with a winning boundary. His powerful performance underscored the depth and versatility of KKR’s lineup, marking an explosive end to the IPL season.
As the dust settled, KKR’s players celebrated jubilantly on the field, their third championship a testament to their remarkable synergy and strategic supremacy throughout the tournament. This victory not only reinstated their legacy in the IPL but also highlighted their strength as a team capable of rising to the occasion when it mattered the most.