In an electrifying contest in the Qualifier 1 match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) produced a sensational performance to overpower Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, thereby securing their spot in the IPL final. This victory registers KKR’s fourth appearance in the final, marking their return to this prestigious stage for the first time since the 2021 season.
The pitch was set for a thrilling face-off as SRH captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first upon winning the toss. Expectations were high for the Sunrisers’ aggressive batting line-up, which had consistently thrilled cricket fans over the season. However, KKR’s bowler Mitchell Starc had other plans. Charging in with the new ball, Starc struck early, dismissing Travis Head by rattling his stumps off just the second delivery—an outstanding start that significantly boosted KKR’s morale.
The powerplay overs were packed with intensity and drama. SRH sought to stamp their authority by attacking the bowling, while KKR relentlessly hunted for wickets. In this gripping battle, Rahul Tripathi stood firm representing SRH’s resilience. His fearlessness was evident as he consistently chose the aerial route even under mounting pressure. Unfortunately for SRH, they lost three more wickets, with Abhishek Sharma being caught at cover by Andre Russell off a Vaibhav Arora delivery, followed by Starc wreaking havoc in the fifth over. Nitish Reddy’s top-edge found the gloves of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while Shahbaz Ahmed was bowled out first ball, leaving SRH floundering at 39 for four after just five overs.
Amidst trouble, Heinrich Klaasen and Rahul Tripathi combined to forge a vital partnership, offering SRH a glimmer of hope. Over six overs, the duo accumulated 61 runs, with Klaasen notably dispatching Sunil Narine for a colossal six during an 18-run over. Tripathi brought up his half-century in the 11th over with a finely placed reverse sweep off Varun Chakaravarthy’s delivery, soaring to his fifty in a brisk 29 balls—a valiant effort to stabilize SRH’s innings amidst adversity.
Despite their efforts, the SRH innings struggled for stability post the pair’s departure. Klaasen was caught in the deep by Rinku Singh, and though Abdul Samad showed intent with a booming first-ball six off Narine, another mix-up with Tripathi led to a run-out that compounded SRH’s woes. Tripathi’s dismissal for a well-crafted 55 was a significant blow, leaving SRH teetering at 121 for the loss of six wickets.
In the closing overs, captain Pat Cummins showcased his batting fortitude, scoring a commendable 30 off 24 balls. He managed to push the team’s total past the 150-mark, striking boundaries frequently, and even unsettling Starc’s otherwise impressive figures with a boundary and a six in the penultimate over. SRH eventually concluded their innings at a modest 159, spearheaded by KKR bolstered by Starc’s striking three-wicket haul for 34 runs and Chakaravarthy’s crucial two for 26.
. The bowlers could not have shone without the dynamic support and acumen of the KKR fielders, who fielded energetically and sparked several breakthrough opportunities.
As the chase commenced, KKR embarked on their innings with an explosive start, reminiscent of pursuing a 200-run target. A significant strategic change saw Gurbaz opening alongside Narine. This pay-off was immediate as Gurbaz announced his arrival with a boundary on the second ball. As Cummins approached for the second over, Narine met him with back-to-back fours, while Gurbaz capitalized on a top-edge over third-man for six. This aggressive offense persisted, and SRH struggled to find respite. It wasn’t until the fourth over that SRH’s T Natarajan got the breakthrough as Gurbaz’s attempt to clear cover failed, and he was caught for 23 runs.
But SRH’s relief was brief. Venkatesh Iyer joined in with remarkable intent, sustaining the blistering pace KKR had established. By the end of the powerplay, KKR had amassed 63 runs. Narine’s quickfire 21-run cameo then culminated when he skied one to deep square-leg off Cummins.
Following this dismissal, the Iyers—Shreyas and Venkatesh—deftly took charge, maintaining composure and control over the required run rate. KKR had a clear edge, despite a challenging day on the field for SRH, who had exhausted both reviews early and dropped some crucial catches off Shreyas’ blade. Venkatesh particularly impressed, dispatching several soaring sixes, demonstrating effortless timing and power. His half-century was sealed with a strategic pull over mid-wicket, reaching the milestone with a swift 28-ball innings. Meanwhile, Shreyas shifted gears, clobbering Head for boundaries and reaching his fifty in just 23 deliveries.
With victory on the horizon, Shreyas fittingly concluded proceedings with a towering six over long-on. The dismantling chase concluded in just 13.4 overs, showcasing KKR’s sheer dominance, sealing the win by eight wickets with a remarkable 38 balls to spare.
As KKR now look ahead to the championship clash, SRH must regroup swiftly to seize another chance of qualifying, facing the victor of the upcoming Eliminator contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals.