In a thrilling culmination of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious by delivering a comprehensive performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, which took place at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. KKR, who had previously won their maiden title at the same venue in 2012, found history repeating itself as they lifted their third IPL trophy on the illustrious date of May 26, 2024. The Knight Riders demonstrated sheer dominance right from the outset, restricting SRH to a paltry total of 113, before chasing it down effortlessly in just 10.3 overs, with an impressive eight wickets remaining.
The final showdown commenced with SRH winning the toss and electing to bat first, a decision KKR captain Shreyas Iyer would have gladly welcomed had it gone in his favor. Despite losing the toss, Iyer’s confidence in his bowlers was richly rewarded as they put on a spectacular display of skill and strategy, led by the indomitable Mitchell Starc. Starc, named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance during their previous encounter in Ahmedabad, once again showcased his mettle on this grand stage.
In a crucial tactical move following the lessons from Qualifier 1, SRH sent Abhishek Sharma to open the innings alongside Travis Head, facing the new ball delivered by Starc. The very first over was a testament to Starc’s splendid form as he managed to get significant movement, questioning Abhishek’s defenses. On the fifth ball, he delivered a potential ball-of-the-tournament contender, which pitched on middle-stump and subtly curved away to hit the top of off-stump, leaving the prolific opener squared up and out.
Inspired by Starc’s electrifying start, Vaibhav Arora soon followed suit, weaving magic with the ball as well. When Travis Head faced Arora for the first time, the pacer expertly swung the delivery away, inducing an edge that comfortably ended in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. With both openers dismissed for a mere six runs, KKR had already dealt significant damage by taking out SRH’s notoriously lethal opening duo.
The initial onslaught impeded the run flow, with KKR persisting with their fiery bowling attack throughout the powerplay. SRH’s first boundary only materialized in the third over, and before any momentum could settle, Starc returned in the fifth over to topple Rahul Tripathi, who unsuccessfully attempted a lofty shot, resulting in a simple catch at mid-wicket.
SRH briefly found solace during a later powerplay over when Vaibhav Arora conceded 17 runs, including the first maximum of the innings by Nitish Reddy. However, the relentless KKR bowling contingent, with contributions from Andre Russell and Harshit Rana, ensured the pressure remained unyielding by continuing to bowl incisive and wicket-laden spells.
. Meanwhile, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy played their part by delivering thrifty overs, further hindering SRH’s scoring ability.
The SRH innings continued to unravel post-powerplay as Reddy succumbed to a regulation catch behind off Rana. Following this, Aiden Markram fell for 20, trying to clear Starc at long-on, inevitably landing the shot straight into the fielder’s hands. Subsequent wickets of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abdul Samad, courtesy of Chakaravarthy and Russell, tightened KKR’s grip on the match. Rana further delivered a devastating blow by clean bowling Heinrich Klaasen in the 15th over, leaving SRH struggling to even nudge 100 runs.
Pat Cummins, batting lower down the order, attempted to salvage his side’s innings, leading as the top-scorer with 24 runs. He managed to extend SRH’s stay with a gritty performance until Starc, having dropped Cummins earlier, caught him out at long-on to conclude the innings in the 19th over.
KKR’s pursuit of the target was brisk and confident, commencing with Rahmanullah Gurbaz elegantly dispatching the second ball to the boundary. A momentary jolt was felt when Sunil Narine, having struck an opening six, misjudged another big shot and was caught. Yet any apprehensions were swiftly alleviated as Venkatesh Iyer launched an aggressive counterattack against Bhuvneshwar Kumar with two prodigious sixes and a four, showcasing his intent.
This assault on the SRH bowlers ensured KKR’s fifty came within the first five overs, setting a rapid chase pace. Although Gurbaz began with a measured approach, it was Venkatesh Iyer who led the charge, unleashing a series of leg-side attacks and notching boundaries at will. As spinners entered the fray, Gurbaz, too, found his rhythm and KKR cruised past the 100-run mark inside nine overs. Approaching the conclusion of the chase, Gurbaz was dismissed for a well-crafted 39, leaving Venkatesh and the rest to wrap things up.
The Iyer brothers orchestrated the climactic finish, with Venkatesh sealing his half-century from a mere 24 deliveries. Moments later, he elegantly struck the winning runs, igniting jubilant celebrations among the KKR players as they stormed onto the field, commemorating yet another glorious chapter in their IPL history.