Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrate their third IPL title after a dominant victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final. © iplt20.com
In a spectacular display of cricketing excellence, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title by overpowering Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a thoroughly one-sided final. The match played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, saw KKR triumph by eight wickets, chasing down SRH’s modest total of 113 with a staggering 57 balls to spare.
Match Overview
Sunrisers Hyderabad 113 (18.3) | |
| Pat Cummins 24 (19) | Andre Russell |
| Aiden Markram 20 (23) | Mitchell Starc |
| Heinrich Klaasen 16 (17) | Harshit Rana |
Kolkata Knight Riders 114/2 (10.3) | |
| Venkatesh Iyer 52 (26) | Pat Cummins |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz 39 (32) | Shahbaz Ahmed |
| Sunil Narine 6 (2) | Aiden Markram |
Toss: SRH won the toss and elected to bat first
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium
Result: KKR won by 8 wickets and 57 balls left
Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc – 2/14 (3)
Player of the Season: Sunil Narine
A Stellar Bowling Performance
KKR’s victory was set up by their bowlers, who delivered a masterclass in seam and swing bowling. Mitchell Starc, the tournament’s costliest player, justified his price tag by producing a spell reminiscent of his 2015 World Cup final heroics. Starc’s opening over was a thing of beauty, dismissing Abhishek Sharma with a delivery that pitched on leg and clipped the top of off-stump. His figures of 2/14 in three overs earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match accolade.
The bowling onslaught didn’t end with Starc. Five of KKR’s six bowlers took a wicket in their first over, dismantling SRH’s batting lineup. Vaibhav Arora struck gold by dismissing SRH’s talisman, Travis Head, for a golden duck in the second over. Arora’s delivery, which swung and seamed, set the tone for SRH’s collapse.
Andre Russell was instrumental in the middle overs, taking 3/19 and cutting through SRH’s middle order. Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana also contributed significantly, ensuring that SRH never recovered from their early setbacks.
SRH’s Batting Woes
SRH’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired spectacularly. The team could never find its footing against KKR’s disciplined bowling attack. Pat Cummins top-scored with a mere 24 runs, a testament to the dominance of KKR’s bowlers. Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen attempted to stabilize the innings but fell prey to KKR’s relentless bowling pressure. SRH’s final tally of 113 was the lowest total in an IPL final, highlighting their struggles on the big stage.
Venkatesh Iyer Leads the Chase
KKR’s chase was formal, thanks to the blistering innings from Venkatesh Iyer. Iyer smashed an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls, including two massive sixes off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His aggressive approach from the start ensured that KKR maintained a high run rate, effectively ending the contest within the powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided solid support with 39 off 32 balls, and despite an early loss of Sunil Narine, the chase was never in doubt.
Key Moments
Starc’s Lethal Opening Over: Mitchell Starc’s first over set the tone for KKR’s dominance, dismissing Abhishek Sharma with a perfect delivery.
Arora’s Breakthrough: Vaibhav Arora’s dismissal of Travis Head for a golden duck further pushed SRH into disarray.
Russell’s Middle-Order Carnage: Andre Russell’s 3/19 in the middle overs ensured SRH couldn’t build any meaningful partnerships.
Iyer’s Blistering Fifty: Venkatesh Iyer’s quickfire 52 off 26 balls sealed the victory for KKR in a swift and dominant chase.
A Historic Win
KKR’s comprehensive victory in the final not only secured their third IPL title but also highlighted their strategic brilliance and depth in both batting and bowling. Mitchell Starc’s exceptional performance, supported by a well-rounded bowling attack and aggressive batting, exemplified why KKR is a powerhouse in the IPL.
This win will be remembered as one of the most dominant performances in an IPL final, showcasing KKR’s prowess and cementing their legacy in the league. As fans celebrate and analysts marvel at KKR’s clinical execution, one thing is clear: Kolkata Knight Riders are truly deserving champions of IPL 2024.
Player of the Match
Mitchell Starc, for his spellbinding bowling performance, was rightfully named the Player of the Match. His figures of 2/14 in three overs, including the pivotal wicket of Abhishek Sharma, set the stage for KKR’s victory.
The IPL 2024 final will go down in history as a showcase of KKR’s dominance and strategic excellence. From Starc’s opening salvo to Iyer’s explosive batting, KKR outplayed SRH in every department. Congratulations to Kolkata Knight Riders on their third IPL title!
Stay tuned for more detailed analyses, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the IPL 2024 final. For all the latest cricket news, match reports, and updates, keep following our blog!
