Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) produced an emphatic performance to dominate Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and earn their place in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. The electrifying backdrop of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad set the stage for what turned out to be a one-sided affair, as KKR outclassed SRH by eight wickets, making it to the final for the fourth time and the first since 2021.
On a pivotal day, SRH’s skipper Pat Cummins chose to bat first after winning the toss. The SRH batting line-up, known for its aggressive style, was expected to put up a substantial total. However, KKR’s bowlers had other plans. Taking the new ball, Mitchell Starc set the tone early by dismantling Travis Head’s stumps on just the second delivery of the match. This dismissal was a harbinger of the tumultuous innings that followed for SRH.
The first six overs witnessed high drama as KKR’s bowlers relentlessly targeted wickets while SRH batsmen fought to build a foundation. Rahul Tripathi was a beacon of resistance for SRH, combating the ferocious KKR attack with aerial shots and determined play. Despite his gallant effort, his partners at the other end fell swiftly. Abhishek Sharma was the next to go, caught at cover by Andre Russell off Vaibhav Arora in just the second over. Starc returned with a vengeance in the fifth over, getting Nitish Reddy caught behind and sending Shahbaz Ahmed back for a golden duck, leaving SRH reeling at 39 for four within five overs.
A glimmer of hope shone for SRH as Heinrich Klaasen joined Tripathi to construct a partnership. Their 61-run stand in six overs breathed temporary life into the innings. Klaasen, particularly aggressive, smashed Sunil Narine for an 18-run over, indicating a potential resurgence. Tripathi continued his tenacious knock, achieving his fifty in just 29 balls, courtesy of a deft reverse-sweep off Varun Chakaravarthy.
The comeback, however, was short-lived. Klaasen fell for 32, caught in the deep by Rinku Singh. New batsman Abdul Samad showed intent by launching the first ball he faced for a six. He continued his assault on Narine in the 14th over but was hampered by a mix-up with Tripathi, leading to the latter’s unfortunate run-out for a well-played 55. At 121 for six, SRH were in a precarious position.
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SRH captain Pat Cummins attempted a rescue mission, scoring 30 off 24 balls and lifting the team past 150. He added crucial runs in the slog overs, including spoiling Starc’s figures with a four and six off the last two balls he faced. Cummins’ valiant effort ended in the final over as SRH concluded their innings at 159. Starc was the standout performer for KKR with three for 34, while Chakaravarthy’s two for 26 was a testament to his economical and effective spell. The KKR fielders matched their bowlers’ prowess with sharp fielding throughout the innings.
Chasing 160, KKR started their innings aggressively, akin to pursuing a much larger total. Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened with Sunil Narine, marking his first appearance this tournament with immediate impact. Gurbaz struck a boundary off the second ball, setting the tempo. Narine followed suit, hitting Cummins for two fours while Gurbaz top-edged a six over third man. Despite losing Gurbaz for 23 in the fourth over to T Natarajan, KKR maintained their aggressive approach.
Venkatesh Iyer joined Narine, and together they capitalized on the powerplay, accumulating 63 runs. Narine’s cameo ended with him scoring 21, falling victim to Cummins, but the foundation was set.
The middle-order duo of Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer then took command. With the required run-rate under control, they proceeded with calculated aggression. SRH’s fielding woes, including losing early reviews and dropping catches, compounded their misery. Venkatesh showcased his prowess by hitting several sixes, eventually reaching his half-century in 28 balls with a six over mid-wicket.
Not to be outdone, Shreyas Iyer brought up his fifty with a blitzkrieg, hitting a six over square leg followed by another over the leg-side to seal his milestone off just 23 balls. The captain orchestrated the final moments of the chase with finesse, concluding the game with a massive six over long-on, sealing victory for KKR.
KKR’s journey towards the IPL 2024 title continues, as they now prepare for the final. SRH, on the other hand, still have a chance to make it to the final by competing against the winner of the Eliminator match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. The stage is set for an enthralling climax to the tournament.