Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) staged a spectacular all-round performance to secure the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 title, overpowering Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a highly-anticipated final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory, marking their third IPL championship, came twelve years after winning their maiden title on the same ground. On May 26, 2024, the Knights methodically dismantled the formidable SRH lineup, limiting them to a modest total of 113, which KKR chased down in just 10.3 overs, losing only two wickets along the way.
As the teams took to the field, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer revealed his preference to bowl first, a strategy that SRH eventually chose after winning the toss. The KKR bowlers vindicated Iyer’s tactics with a clinical display, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, whose performance echoed his crucial role in their prior victory against SRH in Ahmedabad.
Starc set the tone immediately, showcasing his prowess in the opening over against Abhishek Sharma, who was the first to face him, reflecting a change following the events of Qualifier 1. Starc’s delivery on the fifth ball was nothing short of a masterclass, curving away just enough to clatter into the top of the off-stump, leaving Abhishek helpless and SRH stuttering at one-down.
The momentum gathered steam as Vaibhav Arora stepped up with an equally dazzling spell. Arora’s first target, Travis Head, succumbed to an edge caught by the wicketkeeper on his very first ball, plunging SRH into early trouble at six for two. KKR’s new-ball pair had rapidly defanged SRH’s vaunted opening partnership, establishing a stranglehold early in the game.
SRH’s innings struggled to recover from these early setbacks. The powerplay was marred by an inability to find boundaries, with their first four only coming in the third over. Starc, relentless and accurate, returned to the attack in the fifth over to remove Rahul Tripathi, who mistimed a heave towards mid-wicket, offering a catching practice.
Though Nitish Reddy provided a brief respite with a six off Arora in a 17-run sixth over, the KKR attack kept their intent on a leash. The dismantling continued as Andre Russell and Harshit Rana stuck to disciplined, wicket-taking spells. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy further choked the flow of runs during the middle overs with precise, economic bowling.
Reddy’s resistance was cut short soon after the powerplay, falling to Rana.
. Russell claimed the wicket of Aiden Markram, caught by Starc at long-on for a modest score of 20. The procession of wickets continued as Shahbaz Ahmed fell cheaply, caught at short fine-leg from Chakaravarthy’s crafty spin.
The contest seemed to be heading towards a quick conclusion when Abdul Samad, SRH’s impact player, edged behind to give Russell another scalp. Hendrich Klaasen’s dismissal in the 15th over at the hands of Rana, further compounded SRH’s woes, as they languished without reaching triple figures.
The only semblance of a fight came from Pat Cummins, who resisted valiantly to top-score with 24 runs. Ironically, he was dropped by Starc earlier, prolonging SRH’s innings. However, his persistence ended when he found Starc at long-on in the 19th over, bringing the SRH innings to a meek end at 113.
Chasing a modest target, KKR’s quest got off to a flying start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pierced the field with a boundary off the second ball, setting the stage for an aggressive response. Narine, promoted up the order, launched Cummins for a six off the first ball of the second over. Despite losing Narine shortly after to a top-edge, KKR’s chase was barely affected.
Venkatesh Iyer, taking charge, launched an audacious assault on Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the next over, smashing two towering sixes and a four, sending a clear message. Unfazed by the minimal loss of Narine, KKR raced to 50 within the first five overs. Gurbaz and Iyer kept the pressure on, with the latter particularly aggressive through the leg-side. The powerplay ended with KKR comfortably positioned at 72 for one.
With victory in sight, Venkatesh Iyer soon reached his half-century off just 24 balls, while Gurbaz provided steady support. Despite Gurbaz falling for 39, KKR had already neared the finish line. Fittingly, Venkatesh Iyer struck the winning runs in the 11th over, sparking wild celebrations among the KKR players and fans alike as they exalted over their third IPL title triumph, cementing their dominance in the 2024 season.