In a display of cricketing prowess and unwavering determination, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This triumph marks KKR’s third title in the IPL, adding another glorious chapter to their illustrious history. The dramatic final unfolded on May 26, 2024, at the same venue where KKR first tasted IPL success back in 2012, making it a momentous occasion for players and fans alike.
At the toss, the cricketing gods smiled upon the Sunrisers Hyderabad as they elected to bat first. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his preference to bowl, a decision that soon proved insightful as KKR’s bowlers unleashed a mercurial attack. Leading the charge was the formidable Australian pacer, Mitchell Starc, who set the tone with a blistering over. Starc’s opening spell was a spectacle of pace and precision, captivating fans as he dismantled SRH’s top order.
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, known for their belligerent starts, faced the daunting challenge of countering Starc’s firepower. However, it was Abhishek Sharma who succumbed first, with Starc delivering a delivery to remember. The ball, pitched around middle-stump, veered away sharply, clipping the top of off-stump to dismiss the prolific opener. The early breakthrough ignited a domino effect, with Vaibhav Arora joining the fray.
Arora, firing on all cylinders, capitalized on Starc’s brilliant lead. His very first delivery saw Travis Head nicking it behind, thus establishing KKR’s dominance by dismantling SRH’s feared opening partnership in a jiffy. The scoreboard read a daunting six for two, leaving SRH in a precarious position.
Despite SRH’s resilient efforts to stabilize, runs remained elusive during an intense powerplay dominated by KKR’s bowling maestros. It was not until the third over that SRH recorded their first boundary. Even so, Starc struck again in the fifth over, this time removing Rahul Tripathi with a skied shot caught at mid-wicket.
The sole moment of resistance during the powerplay came in the sixth over when Nitish Reddy unleashed a six, momentarily relieving the mounting pressure. Nevertheless, KKR’s pace and spin arsenal worked seamlessly to maintain the upper hand.
. Andre Russell and Harshit Rana tightened the noose with timely wickets, while Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy maintained an economical hold on proceedings.
Following the powerplay, Rana dismissed Reddy, compounding SRH’s woes. Russell then claimed the scalp of Aiden Markram, out caught by Starc at long-on. SRH, seeking every opportunity for revival, found little solace as Shahbaz Ahmed fell victim to Chakaravarthy’s guile, caught at short fine-leg.
With the innings spiraling, it was Abdul Samad’s turn to face Russell’s wrath, caught behind to bolster KKR’s stranglehold. Rana delivered another crucial blow, bowling Heinrich Klaasen in the 15th over, leaving SRH struggling below triple figures.
Pat Cummins, embodying resilience, clawed SRH to a fighting total beyond 100. Interestingly, an elusive reprieve came his way when Starc dropped a chance at long-on. Yet, poetic justice found its course, as Cummins’ spirited innings eventually concluded with a shot directly to Starc at long-on, ensuring SRH folded at 113.
KKR’s chase commenced with aplomb, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s stylish boundary off the second delivery setting the tone. Sunil Narine, adding an element of aggression, swatted the first ball from Cummins for six. However, his subsequent dismissal only flickered as a speed bump in KKR’s race to the title.
Venkatesh Iyer’s authoritative innings was a decisive element in the chase, characterized by two towering sixes and a forceful four off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His electrifying innings, luminously quick, propelled KKR to their fifty within five overs, effectively smothering any resistance from SRH.
The post-powerplay phase saw KKR capitalizing against SRH’s spin, with Gurbaz accelerating the scoring. The century mark was surpassed within nine overs, laying ground for Venkatesh Iyer and Gurbaz to taste the triumph. Gurbaz eventually departed for 39, paving the path for a victorious closure.
In an exhilarating finish, Venkatesh Iyer’s half-century, achieved from a mere 24 balls, concluded the chase in grand style. The winning runs, an emphatic stroke off the bat of Iyer, unleashed jubilant celebrations as KKR players stormed the field, embracing their crowning glory and their third IPL title.