Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) powered their way into the finals of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 following a dominant eight-wicket win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The encounter, etched in the minds of fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, showcased a spirited performance by KKR, whose bowlers successfully curtailed a potentially explosive SRH batting lineup to a modest 159 runs. The KKR batsmen then orchestrated a seamless chase, ensuring the franchise’s fourth final appearance in IPL history—marking their first since 2021.
The pivotal day started with SRH skipper Pat Cummins opting to bat first, banking on the strength of their batting lineup that has kept crowds entertained throughout the season. KKR’s Mitchell Starc set the tone early, firing the opening salvo with a blistering delivery that saw Travis Head bowled off the second ball. This set a precedent for what was to be a match filled with thrilling moments.
The initial phase was a roller-coaster with SRH resolute in their intent to counter-attack, displaying their aggressive style that has become their hallmark. Conversely, KKR was relentless in their pursuit of wickets. Rahul Tripathi was the shining beacon for SRH amid the chaos, striking back with a fearless approach, even as KKR systematically mounted pressure. However, SRH found themselves staggering as three more wickets fell. Abhishek Sharma fell caught at cover off a Vaibhav Arora delivery. Starc then came back to deal a twin blow in the fifth over, claiming Nitish Reddy, who skied one to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Shahbaz Ahmed, who chopped the ball onto his stumps for a golden duck. The scoreboard painted a bleak picture for SRH at 39 for four, merely five overs into their innings.
A turnaround emerged when Heinrich Klaasen partnered with Tripathi, offering SRH a glimmer of hope. Across six crucial overs, this partnership yielded 61 runs. Just as SRH seemed to be finding their feet, Sunil Narine was dispatched for 18 runs in the ninth over with Klaasen delivering a massive six straight down the ground. It was a calculated move by SRH to target Narine and change the momentum in their favor. Tripathi was in sublime form, reaching his half-century in style by reverse-sweeping Varun Chakaravarthy for a boundary on his 29th delivery, demonstrating composure under strenuous conditions.
However, the stability SRH sought unraveled soon after. Klaasen was snatched by Rinku Singh in the deep mid-wicket for a gritty 32.
. The robust intent shown by Abdul Samad was apparent when he clubbed the very first delivery from Narine over the stands for six, repeating the feat at the start of the 14th over. Unfortunately for SRH, a disastrous mix-up resulted in Tripathi being run out after a commendable 55. At this juncture, SRH was perilously poised at 121 for six.
SRH’s leader, Pat Cummins, was the silver lining, contributing a crucial 30 off 24 balls and pushing the score past 150 despite wickets falling around him. Cummins managed to find boundaries just when they were needed, somewhat redeeming Starc’s figures in the slog overs with a four and a six off his final deliveries. Ultimately, SRH concluded their innings at 159. Although it was a collective effort from KKR with the ball, Starc’s haul of three for 34 stood out, while Chakaravarthy impressed with an economic two for 26.
KKR’s chase began with intensity, as if aiming to navigate a significantly higher target. Gurbaz joined Narine at the top as a strategic change in the lineup, and promptly made an impression. AJ Ballard announced himself into the match with a cracking four and accompanied Narine in taking Cummins apart in the second over for two more boundaries, with Gurbaz’s adventurous top-edge soaring over the third-man for six.
Albeit T Natarajan offering SRH a breakthrough, dismissing Gurbaz for 23 attempting an over-the-cover shot, KKR never lost their swiftness. Newcomer Venkatesh Iyer maintained the momentum, helping KKR rack up 63 runs during the powerplay. Narine played an exciting cameo of 21 before falling to a deep square-leg catch off Cummins.
The pairing of Shreyas and Venkatesh Iyer effectively took over after Narine, keeping the required rate in check while seizing scoring opportunities. SRH’s woes were compounded by two unsuccessful reviews and dropped catches of Shreyas.
With the finish line near, Venkatesh gracefully pulled one over mid-wicket off Nitish to bring up his well-deserved half-century in 28 balls. Shreyas shortly followed suit, cracking a six over square-leg, a four through wide long-on, and another sublime six over the leg side, reaching his fifty in just 23 balls. Shreyas sealed the contest by launching a hefty six over long-on, wrapping up the innings in 13.4 overs with 38 balls to spare and eight wickets still in the bank—a dominant display of supremacy by KKR.
While KKR gears up for the final showdown, SRH has another shot at glory, clashing with the victor between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.