In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) claimed their third TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) championship. KKR’s emphatic victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 IPL final on May 26 marked a memorable night for the Kolkata-based team as they dominated in all facets of the game, rolling back the years to recall their maiden championship win at the same venue in 2012.
Under the floodlights of a packed stadium, KKR showcased an unparalleled performance that kept the roaring fans entertained throughout. Winning the toss, SRH captain chose to bat first, a decision that KKR’s bowlers quickly capitalized on. Shreyas Iyer, leading KKR into the final, expressed a desire to bowl first, believing in his team’s ability to curtail any batting lineup. His confidence was vindicated by the flawless execution from KKR’s bowlers, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge.
Starc, who had already proven to be an integral player in KKR’s journey this season, was at his best from the outset. He began the innings with remarkable precision and skill, picking up the first crucial wicket of Abhishek Sharma with a delivery that could only be described as one of the best of the tournament. Pitched around the middle stump, the ball slightly diverted away, catching the prolific opener off-guard and sending the stumps flying. This early breakthrough set the tone for the SRH innings.
Vaibhav Arora partnered brilliantly with Starc, delivering his own masterclass of seam bowling. He dismissed Travis Head, another vital wicket, with the batsman edging a swinging delivery to the wicketkeeper. With the scoreboard reading six for two, SRH was left reeling from KKR’s fast-start.
As the powerplay overs progressed, SRH struggled to build momentum, restricted further by concise bowling from KKR. The notable effort by Mitchell Starc continued as he captured Raul Tripathi’s wicket, as the batsman misjudged a shot into the waiting hands of a mid-wicket fielder.
SRH managed a momentary reprieve in the sixth over, where some verbosity from Arora allowed them to raise their run count somewhat with 17 runs, including the innings’ first six. However, KKR’s bowlers continued to stifle SRH’s scoring opportunities in the middle overs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, with their impressive economical spells, limited additional progress as the game wore on.
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The middle order faced persistent challenges against KKR’s disciplined attack. Harshit Rana and Andre Russell old schoolers wielding relentless pressure, consistently took wickets. Reddy succumbed to Rana’s precise bowling not long after the powerplay, Russell took Markram’s scalp as he attempted an aggressive shot only to find Starc stationed conveniently at long-on.
SRH’s batting order collapsed further with Shahbaz Ahmed mistiming at short fine-leg, caught off Chakaravarthy’s bowling. The continued pressure saw Abdul Samad caught behind from Russell’s delivery. Perhaps the decisive dismissal came from Rana eliminating Heinrich Klaasen, SRH had yet to breach the 100-run mark. A fighting stand by Pat Cummins was commendable; nonetheless, his top-score of 24 was insufficient in providing the impetus SRH required.
Despite slightly extending SRH’s innings after being dropped once, Cummins ultimately found Starc’s catch at long-on, concluding SRH’s innings at 113 in the 19th over. A paltry target set the stage for KKR’s chase.
KKR’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz started strongly, striking a boundary on the second ball. Sunil Narine followed suit with a towering six off Cummins’ first ball in his opening over but departed shortly after, caught on the leg-side after mistiming another aggressive stroke.
Without losing stride, Venkatesh Iyer accelerated KKR’s chase with a series of spectacular shots, striking two sixes and a four. It signaled KKR’s intent, illustrating their determination to seal the victory swiftly. His aggression, pairing with Gurbaz’s sensible play, bolstered KKR’s total to 72 for one within the powerplay’s conclusion.
Gurbaz and Iyer’s commanding shots, especially against spinners, took KKR past the hundred mark by the ninth over. Although Gurbaz departed for a robust 39, by this point, the title was all but secured. The match concluded fittingly with Venkatesh Iyer reaching his half-century after a mere 24 balls. Appropriately, it was he who struck the winning runs, sending KKR fans into ecstatic celebrations across the stand and securing a well-deserved third IPL trophy for the Knight Riders.