In a spectacular finale to the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious, clinching their third IPL title with a dominant performance over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The historic win took place at the renowned MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, making it a sweet return to the same venue where KKR secured their maiden championship back in 2012. On May 26, 2024, KKR replicated their past success in a match marked by outstanding bowling and confident batting, chasing down 113 runs in just 10.3 overs and clinching the title with eight wickets to spare.
The final began with KKR captain Shreyas Iyer expressing his desire to bowl first after losing the toss to SRH, who opted to bat. True to Iyer’s instinct, the KKR bowlers delivered a commanding performance on the field. Mitchell Starc, who was previously adjudged Player of the Match in their last face-off against SRH in Ahmedabad, led the charge with a brilliant inaugural over.
In a tactical decision reflecting the earlier Qualifier 1 match, Abhishek Sharma took the opening strike instead of Travis Head as Starc took the new ball. Starc’s precision from the get-go saw him troubling the SRH opener. Notably, on the fifth ball, he produced one of the tournament’s most riveting deliveries. The ball subtly moved away from Abhishek after pitching on middle-stump, striking the off-stump and leaving the SRH batter completely confounded.
Inspired by Starc’s initial onslaught, KKR’s Vaibhav Arora also turned up the heat. When Travis Head came in to bat, Arora’s perfectly angled delivery left the experienced batsman edging the ball to the wicketkeeper. With SRH grappling at six for two, KKR had effectively dismantled the tournament’s prominent opening partnership.
The pressure was relentless as KKR’s bowlers kept a tight lid during the powerplay. SRH’s first boundary was only struck in the third over, a testament to KKR’s stringent approach. Returning for his second over, Starc continued to make inroads, dismissing Rahul Tripathi, who mishit a shot to mid-wicket. Only some respite came for SRH during the sixth over when they managed to take 17 runs off Arora, including Nitish Reddy’s first six. However, the reprieve was short-lived as KKR’s bowlers remained persistent throughout.
Andre Russell and Harshit Rana soon joined the party, with Russell snaring Aiden Markram for 20.
. He was caught by Starc at long-on, adding another dent to SRH’s innings. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine were economical in their spells, maintaining the pressure firmly on SRH batsmen.
The departure of Shahbaz Ahmed at the hands of Chakaravarthy, followed by the power-hitting Abdul Samad being caught behind off Russell, signaled SRH’s struggle to breach the 100-run mark. Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal by Rana in the 15th over left SRH in dire straits, with hopes of a competitive total fading.
Pat Cummins resisted valiantly, scoring 24 and top-scoring for SRH, as the team scrambled to breach triple figures. His efforts to prolong SRH’s innings were assisted by a dropped catch at long-on by Starc. Ironically, the innings concluded when Starc caught him at the same position in the 19th over, closing SRH’s innings at a meager 113.
In response, KKR commenced their chase with a boundary off the second ball by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Despite Narine going for a big hit too soon and being caught after a six, Venkatesh Iyer quickly dispelled any nerves KKR might have had. His aggressive play on display saw two back-to-back sixes and a four in the very next over, after which KKR steadily advanced towards victory.
Venkatesh Iyer was relentless, ensuring KKR reached 50 inside just five overs. Taking full advantage of the powerplay, he hammered T Natarajan for three fours and a six, putting KKR firmly on track to their destination target. The innings saw Iyer particularly dominant through the leg-side, with KKR posting 72 for one at the end of the powerplay.
Gurbaz, after playing a composed innings, opened up more as spinners were introduced. By the ninth over, KKR surpassed the 100-run mark. His dismissal for 39 came as KKR inched closer to lifting the trophy.
With little resistance remaining from SRH, it was inevitable as Venkatesh Iyer reached his half-century off a mere 24 balls. It was fitting that he struck the winning run, guiding KKR to the summit of IPL glory for the third time. His heroics saw the KKR team flood the field in jubilant celebration of their triumphant campaign.