In a thrilling encounter that marked the first qualifier of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) convincingly defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, securing their place in the final. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was the venue for this high-stakes match, where KKR’s bowlers and batsmen combined brilliantly to dismantle SRH, restricting them to a mere 159 runs and then chasing the target with ease. This victory propels KKR into their fourth IPL final, their first appearance since 2021, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in the league.
The drama of qualifier one unfolded as SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first, relying on their explosive batting line-up that had thrilled spectators throughout the season. The atmosphere was electric as KKR’s ace bowler Mitchell Starc took the new ball, ready to deliver the opening salvo against SRH’s Travis Head. In a sensational start, Starc bowled Head with his second delivery, sending the stumps cartwheeling and setting the tone for KKR’s dominance.
The powerplay was a rollercoaster of emotions, with SRH attempting to fight back while KKR aggressively sought wickets. Amongst the chaos, Rahul Tripathi stood as a beacon of hope for SRH, smashing boundaries and taking risks to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, his efforts were overshadowed by the fall of early wickets at the opposite end. Abhishek Sharma was caught in the cover off Vaibhav Arora in the second over, followed by a double strike by Starc in the fifth over, dismissing Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed within the space of three balls. At a precarious 39 for four in just five overs, SRH found themselves in deep trouble.
The innings, however, saw a glimmer of revival as Heinrich Klaasen joined hands with Tripathi, and the duo stitched a promising partnership of 61 runs over the next six overs. As Sunil Narine was introduced into the attack in the ninth over, Klaasen decided to go on the offensive, hammering Narine for 18 runs, including a towering six that sailed over the ground. This aggressive intent was meant to bolster SRH’s innings; Tripathi continued his onslaught and reached his half-century in the 11th over, showcasing remarkable resilience and force.
Unfortunately for SRH, their batting effort soon wavered. Klaasen fell for 32, caught at deep mid-wicket by Rinku Singh, and Abdul Samad walked in with aggression, launching Narine for a massive six with his opening shot. His intent continued as another giant six followed off Narine in the 14th over, but a mix-up with Tripathi led to the latter’s run-out for a well-made 55. At 121 for six, SRH’s hopes were rapidly diminishing.
In the death overs, only Pat Cummins displayed some resistance, crafting an innings of 30 off 24 balls and bringing SRH’s total past 150, despite wickets falling around him. His aggressive strokes left a mark on Starc’s figures, but he was eventually dismissed in the final over.
. SRH closed their innings at 159, a score that seemed under par given the conditions. KKR’s collective bowling effort was exemplary, with Starc claiming three for 34 and Varun Chakaravarthy being particularly economical with two wickets for 26 runs. The bowlers’ efforts were backed by outstanding fielding, creating pressure and opportunities consistently.
KKR commenced their chase with an assertiveness as if the target were significantly higher. An alteration in the batting line-up saw Rahmanullah Gurbaz pair up with Narine at the top. Gurbaz, playing his first match of the tournament, wasted no time making an impression, striking the second ball for four. As Cummins ran in for the second over, Narine greeted him with two boundaries, and Gurbaz sent a top-edge over third-man for a six, reflecting KKR’s aggressive approach.
Despite SRH’s attempts to break the momentum, KKR amassed 63 runs in the powerplay. Gurbaz was dismissed for 23, caught off T Natarajan, but the damage was already done. Venkatesh Iyer then joined Narine, sustaining the aggressive tempo. Narine departed for a brisk 21, caught at deep square-leg off Cummins, but the ship was in strong hands.
The chase was dominated by the Iyer duo, with Shreyas and Venkatesh smoothly steering KKR towards victory. SRH’s fielding lapses, including missed reviews and dropped catches of Shreyas, further eased KKR’s path. Venkatesh hammered sixes with aplomb, racing to a half-century in just 28 deliveries. Shreyas, not to be left behind, completed his own fifty with stylish boundaries, ensuring that victory was merely a formality.
Sealing the game with a colossal six over long-on, Shreyas wrapped up the chase in just 13.4 overs, with 38 balls to spare. KKR’s triumph by eight wickets underscored their supremacy on the day, as they look forward to vying for the coveted IPL title. Meanwhile, SRH will regroup for another chance at the final, confronting the winner of the Eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals.