Knight Riders Eclipse Sunrisers to Secure Third IPL Title

Kolkata Knight Riders Clinch Third IPL Title with Dominant Win Over Sunrisers Hyderabad

Chennai: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) celebrated their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a one-sided final on Sunday. The match showcased KKR’s clinical precision and strategic brilliance, leading to a comprehensive win and further cementing their legacy in the IPL.

Having lost the toss, KKR was put to bowl first, and they produced a stellar effort with the ball, dismissing SRH for a paltry 113, which is now the lowest total ever in an IPL final. This dismal performance by SRH was a result of KKR’s disciplined and aggressive bowling attack.

KKR’s chase of the modest target of 114 was swift and efficient, reaching the goal with a remarkable 57 balls to spare. Venkatesh Iyer was the star of the batting lineup, remaining unbeaten on 52 off just 26 balls. His innings was characterized by aggressive stroke play and calculated risks, ensuring that KKR was always well ahead of the required run rate.

The bowlers set the tone for KKR’s dominance in the match. Mitchell Starc was particularly impressive, taking 2 wickets for just 14 runs. Andre Russell also made a significant impact with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Harshit Rana contributed with 2 wickets for 24 runs. Their combined efforts restricted SRH to a subpar score, which proved to be insurmountable.

Opting to bat first, SRH’s innings got off to a catastrophic start. They lost their top batsmen, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, with just six runs on the board. Travis Head was dismissed for a golden duck by a brilliant outswinger. Abhishek Sharma, on the other hand, was bowled by Mitchell Starc with a delivery that many have described as the ‘Ball of the IPL’, clipping the top of the off stump in a textbook dismissal.

The Hyderabad captain, Pat Cummins, was left to rue his decision to bat first as his side were skittled for 113 runs in 18.3 overs. Mitchell Starc produced a double strike while his new ball partner, Vaibhav Arora, dismissed the dangerous Travis Head for a first-ball duck to rattle Hyderabad.

Kolkata’s talismanic all-rounder Andre Russell claimed three crucial wickets, including those of the South African Aiden Markram and Cummins, as Hyderabad wilted inside 19 overs.

Defending the lowest total in an IPL final, Cummins removed Sunil Narine in the second over but the miracle they needed did not materialise. Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39) helped Kolkata romp home in 10.3 overs in front of a sea of purple jerseys that included the franchise co-owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

“No words to describe [the feeling]. It means so much,” the West Indies stalwart Russell said, wiping away tears. “I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and worked towards one goal. This franchise has done a lot for me. It’s a big gift from all of us to them.”

MATCH AWARDS:

• Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc
• Fantasy Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc
• Most Sixes in the Match: Venkatesh Iyer
• Most Fours in the Match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Most Dot Balls in the Match: Harshit Rana

QUICK HITS:

• SRH: 113 all out (18.3 overs)
  • Top scorer: Pat Cummins with 24 runs
  • Best Bowlers: Mitchell Starc (2/14), Andre Russell (3/19), Harshit Rana (2/24)
• KKR: 114/2 (10.3 overs)
  • Top scorer: Venkatesh Iyer with 52 not out
  • Result: KKR won by 8 wickets

KKR’s decision to invest ₹24.75 crore in Mitchell Starc paid off handsomely, as he proved his worth in the most crucial matches. Despite initial skepticism about Gautam Gambhir’s decisions, Starc’s performance silenced critics. Abhishek Sharma learned a tough lesson as he was clean bowled by a delivery that is now being hailed as a defining moment of the tournament. Starc’s pivotal role in KKR’s triumph was evident, having also picked up three wickets in KKR’s win over SRH in Qualifier 1.

Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 56 not only secured the victory but also propelled him to the top of the charts for the most runs in IPL playoffs for KKR, with a total of 234 runs. This feat put him ahead of Shubman Gill, who has 184 runs.

KKR ON TOP:

• KKR’s successful chase with 57 balls remaining set a record for the highest number of balls remaining in a successful chase in IPL playoffs history.
• Previously, KKR had 38 balls remaining in the first qualifier of this season, marking another dominant performance.
• KKR’s three losses in this edition are tied for the fewest in a season, matching Rajasthan Royals’ record in 2008.
• This is the sixth instance of the team topping the points table and going on to win the tournament, a feat previously achieved by Rajasthan Royals (2008), Mumbai Indians (2017, 2019, 2020), and Gujarat Titans (2022).

SRH’s total of 113 is now the lowest ever in an IPL final, surpassing the previous low of 125/9 set by Chennai Super Kings in 2013. Travis Head’s two ducks in the playoffs put him in an unfortunate group alongside Lasith Malinga (2013), Shreevats Goswami (2020), and Shakib al Hasan (2021).

Gautam Gambhir’s leadership was pivotal to KKR’s success. His strategic insights and motivational leadership ensured that every player performed their role effectively, contributing to the team’s overall success. His influence has been a cornerstone of KKR’s strategy and performance.

ROCKING RUSSELL: Andre Russell had an exceptional season, scoring 222 runs and taking 19 wickets at an average of 15.52, with an economy rate of 10.05. He also took 3 catches across 14 matches, demonstrating his all-around capabilities and vital contributions to the team’s success.

IPL 2024 AWARDS:

• Emerging Player of the Season: Nitish Kumar Reddy (303 runs, 33.67 avg)
• Most Valuable Player: Sunil Narine (482 runs and 17 wickets, KKR)
• Orange Cap: Virat Kohli (741 runs, RCB)
• Purple Cap: Harshal Patel (24 wickets, PBKS)
• Best Strike Rate Award: Jake Fraser-McGurk (234.04, DC)
• Most Sixes Award: Abhishek Sharma (42, SRH)

KKR’s dominant performance throughout the season and their strategic excellence under pressure culminated in a well-deserved IPL 2024 title, showcasing their prowess and securing their place as one of the premier teams in the league.