In a largely one-sided IPL 2024 title match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, the Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in every aspect to claim their third IPL championship with a commanding eight-wicket victory.
With the help of outstanding spells from Mitchell Starc (2-14), Andre Russell (3-19), and Harshit Rana (2-24), KKR’s bowlers dismissed SRH for a meager 113, the lowest score ever in an IPL final. In response, the batsmen overcame the total in just 10.3 overs, driven by Venkatesh Iyer’s 52 not out off 26 balls, to give the team their second IPL triumph in Chennai.
The only thing SRH did well on a red-soil field was win the toss, because they never found a way to work together or gain momentum to score the lowest total ever in an IPL final. As a result of Starc and Vaibhav Arora’s constant good length bowling, which left the ball swinging constantly and others gaining grip, SRH was completely destroyed.
Every bowler for the Kolkata Knight Riders has at least one wicket to their name because of the outstanding bowling display. With a delivery that started from a leg-stump and then nipped away quickly, Starc gave KKR a promising start right away. It was reminiscent of how he started the 2015 Men’s ODI World Cup final.
The SRH wickets kept falling as impact player Abdul Samad edged away from his body to keeper off Russell, Heinrich Klaasen played on to his stumps off a slower ball from Harshit, and Shahbaz Ahmed top-edged a sweep to short fine leg off Varun Chakaravarthy.
SRH passed 100 thanks to a couple boundaries from skipper Pat Cummins, who led all scorers with 24. However, he and Jaydev Unadkat were dismissed quickly after, as one of the tournament’s most aggressive batting lineups collapsed for 113 runs.
After hitting a pulled six, Sunil Narine went too early with his flick off Pat Cummins, and the thick leading edge was caught by deep mid-wicket, costing KKR 114 runs. Venkatesh looked at Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four to take 20 runs off the third over, but he counterattacked by dancing down the pitch to whack him for two consecutive sixes.
After drawing Jaydev Unadkat for four, Gurbaz took over by sweeping Shahbaz Ahmed for six and lofting the left-arm spinner for another maximum. However, Shahbaz emerged victorious after trapping a sweeping Gurbaz lbw. Shahbaz was reverse-swept for four by Shreyas Iyer to start his innings, and Venkatesh reached his fifty in twenty-four balls, suitably finished off the chase with a single to clinch third IPL title for KKR, undoubtedly the most consistent side in the competition.
Shreyas also becomes an IPL winning captain for the first time on his second try, which will be a particularly sweet victory for him given that he was left off of the Indian Test team and the BCCI central contracts earlier this year.
Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 114/2 in 10.3 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 52 not out, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 39; Pat Cummins 1-18, Shahbaz Ahmed 1-22) by eight wickets. Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 113 in 18.3 overs (Pat Cummins 24, Aiden Markram 20; Andre Russell 3-19, Mitchell Starc 2-14).
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wishing on “X,” congratulating Kolkata Knight Riders on winning the IPL title, “Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory has brought about an air of celebration all across Bengal.” I want to personally congratulate the team, the players, and the support personnel for their incredible success during this IPL season.I’m hoping for more captivating triumphs in the years to come.
Yuvraj Singh, an Former Indian cricketer, congratulated the Kolkata Knight Riders on ‘X’, writing, “Congratulations to @KKRiders on being crowned @IPL 2024 champions.” Throughout the season, they have been the most impressive team. Thoughtful of @SunRisers for an incredible run, the superior team won today. A special congratulations to the King of Hearts, @iamsrk, for his success in both cricket and movies this year, and to @GautamGambhir for his fearless mentoring!”
Twelve years after KKR’s 2012 championship win, the team won their third IPL crown on Sunday, living up to Gambhir’s words. “I would like to tell you a little tale. I was so thrilled when GG bhaiya was chosen as the mentor that I sent him a lengthy message. “Thank you, but I would be happy if we stood at the podium with the trophy in our hands,” was his response. In an interview with broadcasters following the event, Nitish Rana said, “Today is that day and I will never forget that message.”
It has all meaning. After two finals and 16 years since I began playing in the IPL, I finally won my maiden title.
I’m overjoyed for the lads. I want to cry, yet I’m so delighted. As usual, the big man (Andre Russell) makes an appearance. I haven’t felt anything so bizarre in a long time.
Venkatesh Iyer, who top-scored in the chase of 114 with 52 not out off 26 balls, had similar feelings. Extremely pleased with it. Abhishek Nayar deserves all the praise in the world, as Varun said.
I want to make sure that no contributions are overlooked. Some do go unreported. For the way that he has been contributing to this franchise, this person truly deserves all the praise in the world. The supporters that came out year after year and endured a ten-year wait deserve this victory.
Speaking of Russell, he had a difficult time in the IPL with KKR last year, and some fans demanded that he be cut from the starting lineup. However, Russell proved to be a crucial component in KKR’s victory this year, leaving the powerful all-around player in tears.
“I am at a loss for words. It has immense meaning. I’m glad we all exercised extreme discipline and focused on achieving the same objective. For me, this franchise has accomplished a lot. We’re giving it to them as a huge gift.
Rinku Singh was beaming with pride at having won an IPL title with KKR. “Excellent sensation at the moment. My seven-year dream has come true. I’ll raise the prize at last. I’m pleased with my whole team and GG sir. It was God’s plan.”
Vaibhav Arora, a pacer who excelled throughout the season alongside Harshit Rana, was delighted to contribute to KKR’s incredible victory. “Taking wickets with the new ball is my job,” The spinners resumed their work after that. Therefore, taking wickets during the powerplay was the goal today as well, and it was successful.
The entire team will relish this moment to the hilt, according to bowling coach Bharat Arun. “I believe the past two years have been quite difficult. It was close call; we were not eligible. It required a great deal of reflection, and we can now relish this time. Harshit Rana has performed admirably. It’s important to support your advantages.
In his opinion, the addition of Mitchell Starc gave the team a significant boost. “I believe that Mitch’s arrival to the club increased the other young players’ self-assurance. He is arguably the world’s greatest bowler. Excellent after he grasped the conditions in India.
Arun also applauded Gambhir’s suggestion to use Narine as the opener. “Spinners get better with age, and it was fantastic to see Sunny and Varun bowl together. Our batting gained a whole new dimension thanks to him (Narine). Gautam was the one who demanded that he open, and his persistence paid off. It’s time to rejoice after such a wonderful evening.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the opener’s keeper, expressed his happiness by saying, “My mother is watching from home.” Now she feels well. Before the game, I asked my mother if she had any needs. Just the win, she said. I didn’t think I would get a chance when Salt was playing, but I knew the tournament would be lengthy and I needed to be prepared. I was ready when I had the opportunity.
Harshit Rana said, “I cannot tell how happy I am,” during a conversation about the celebrations that is currently taking place in the KKR camp. Angkrish Raghuvanshi expressed a similar opinion. It hasn’t yet set in yet. Perhaps it will following tonight’s celebration.
Ramandeep Singh, an all-rounder, stated he will be occupied choosing music for the Chennai KKR celebration. “I am ecstatic right now. We’re thrilled since we worked so hard for it. It’s an excellent setting. We’ve had a great time, poora gaah payeya hoeya hai. As the DJ, I play the songs that the crowd requests.
In this manner, the 2024 IPL Mahotsav concluded, and KKR emerged victorious!