by Night of Champions: KKR Clinch Third IPL Title in Lopsided Final
Kolkata Knight Riders Thump Sunrisers Hyderabad to Clinch Third IPL Title in Clinical Performance
The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a lopsided affair yesterday as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged triumphant in the IPL 2024 final, comprehensively dismantling the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets. This emphatic victory marks KKR’s third IPL title, etching their name further into the annals of the tournament’s most successful franchises.
SRH Batting Crumbles Under KKR’s Bowling Might
Losing the toss and being put in to bat first proved a defining moment for SRH. Their much-vaunted batting lineup, featuring the likes of the explosive Abhishek Sharma and the experienced Kane Williamson, failed to live up to expectations. KKR’s pace attack, spearheaded by the ever-reliable Pat Cummins (2/14) and Russell (3/19), ripped through the top order, exposing the SRH batting frailties. The middle order, barring a valiant knock from Aiden Markram (24), offered little resistance .The collective effort from the KKR bowlers bundled out SRH for a paltry 113 runs in 18.3 overs, a total that was simply inadequate on a batting-friendly surface.
KKR Cruise to Victory with Composed Batting Display
Chasing a modest target of 114 runs, KKR openers, the inform Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the seasoned Venkatesh Iyer, adopted a cautious approach initially. The early dismissal of the explosive Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins did raise a few eyebrows, but the duo weathered the early storm and stitched together a crucial partnership. Gurbaz, fresh off a string of impressive scores, played some delightful strokes, reaching a fluent 39 before being dismissed. However, his departure didn’t disrupt KKR’s rhythm as skipper Shreyas Iyer (24*) joined Venkatesh Iyer in the middle. The experienced Iyer, who played a pivotal role throughout the season with his consistent batting, anchored the chase with an unbeaten fifty. The pair rotated the strike efficiently and found the boundary at regular intervals, taking the game away from SRH. The dismissal of Gurbaz proved to be a mere blip as KKR chased down the target comfortably in just 10.3 overs, with Venkatesh Iyer hitting the winning single and triggering jubilant celebrations in the KKR camp.
KKR’s Bowling Heroics Pave the Way for Dominant Victory
While the chase itself was a cakewalk for KKR, the credit for their comprehensive victory undoubtedly rests with their bowling attack. Pat Cummins set the tone upfront with his early wickets, dismissing both openers within the powerplay. The spin duo of Piyush Chawla and Varun Chakravarthy played a crucial role in the middle overs, stifling the flow of runs and applying pressure on the SRH batsmen. Lockie Ferguson, with his express pace, ensured that SRH never got a chance to break free in the death overs, picking up two crucial wickets. Mitchell Starc, though wicketless, played a vital role in applying pressure from the other end, bowling economically (0/15) and keeping the scoring rate in check. The KKR bowlers, with their disciplined and varied attack, ensured that SRH batsmen were never allowed to settle, eventually leading to their downfall.
A Night to Remember for KKR: Star Performers and a Fitting Conclusion
The IPL 2024 final was a night of celebration for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Mitchell Starc, despite not picking up a wicket, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his economical spell that put immense pressure on the SRH batsmen. Sunil Narine, despite his early dismissal in the final, received the Emerging Player of the Tournament award for his consistent all-around performance throughout the season. However, the true heroes of the night were the entire KKR squad, who displayed remarkable consistency and resilience throughout the tournament. Their bowling attack, boasting a potent mix of pace and spin, proved to be their biggest strength, while their batting lineup, with match-winners like Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer, delivered whenever required. This clinical performance in the final capped off a remarkable journey for KKR, a testament to their team spirit, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination to claim their third IPL title.
