KKR players Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc celebrate a crucial wicket with Rahmanullah Gurbaz in their IPL 2024 qualifier victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. © iplt20.com
Match Scorecard
Sunrisers Hyderabad 159 (19.3) | |
| Rahul Tripathi 55 (35) | Mitchell Starc |
| Heinrich Klaasen 32 (21) | Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Pat Cummins 30 (24) | Andre Russell |
Kolkata Knight Riders 164/2 (13.4) | |
| Shreyas Iyer 58* (24) | T. Natarajan |
| Venkatesh Iyer 51* (28) | Pat Cummins |
| Rahman Ullah Gurbaz 23 (14) | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
Toss: SRH won the toss and elected to bat
Stadium: Narendra Modi Stadium
Ahmedabad, May 21, 2024, – In a thrilling display of cricketing excellence, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stormed into the IPL 2024 final by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the first qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Mitchell Starc’s sensational bowling and an unbroken partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer were the highlights of a commanding performance by KKR.
Mitchell Starc’s Fiery Spell Sets the Tone
Winning the toss and selected to bat first, SRH found themselves in trouble early on due to a devastating spell from Mitchell Starc. Starc’s first over set the pace as he dismissed Travis Head with a brilliant outswinger that shattered the stumps. His pace and precision continued to wreak havoc as he removed Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed in quick succession, reducing SRH to a precarious 21 for 3. Starc finished with figures of 3-34, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
Tripathi’s Lone Resistance
Amidst the top-order collapse, Rahul Tripathi stood tall with a valiant knock. His 55 off 35 balls included inventive shots and powerful strikes that temporarily steadied the SRH innings. Tripathi’s efforts, along with Heinrich Klaasen’s brisk 32 off 21, helped SRH recover to a total of 159. Varun Chakravarthy complemented Starc’s efforts with two crucial wickets, applying pressure during the middle overs and finishing with figures of 2-26.
KKR’s Clinical Chase
In response, KKR’s openers gave a solid start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring a quickfire 23 off 14 balls. Despite losing two early wickets, the Iyer duo took control of the chase. Shreyas Iyer played a captain’s knock, smashing 58 not out off 24 balls, while Venkatesh Iyer’s steady 51 not out off 28 balls ensured that KKR reached the target comfortably. The pair’s unbroken 97-run stand sealed the victory with 38 balls to spare, highlighting KKR’s batting depth and dominance.
Key Moments of the Match
Starc’s Opening Spell: Starc’s ability to swing the ball both ways saw him dismantle SRH’s top order, setting the foundation for KKR’s win.
Tripathi’s Counterattack: Tripathi’s fighting fifty was the lone highlight for SRH in an otherwise disappointing batting performance.
Varun’s Variations: Chakravarthy’s clever use of flight and spin kept the SRH batters guessing and played a crucial role in restricting the total.
The Iyer Partnership: The unbroken partnership between Shreyas and Venkatesh Iyer ensured a smooth chase, with both batsmen reaching their half-centuries in style.
Post-Match Reactions
Mitchell Starc: “It was crucial to get those early breakthroughs, and I’m glad I could contribute. The pitch had some assistance, and we utilized it well. Now, the focus is on the final.”
Shreyas Iyer: “The team showed great character today. Starc’s spell was game-changing, and it was a pleasure to finish the match with Venkatesh. We’re excited for the final.”
Rahul Tripathi: “We didn’t start well, but it was important to fight back. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize in the middle overs. We’ll regroup and come back stronger in the next match.”
What’s Next?
With this win, KKR advances to the IPL 2024 final, set to be played in Chennai. SRH, on the other hand, will face the winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for another shot at making it to the final.
Match Summary
- Sunrisers Hyderabad:159 all out in 19.3 overs (Rahul Tripathi 55, Mitchell Starc 3-34, Varun Chakravarthy 2-26)
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 164 for 2 in 13.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 58*, Venkatesh Iyer 51*, T. Natarajan 1-22)
- Result: KKR won by 8 wickets with 38 balls remaining
- Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc
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