The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 8 wickets in the showdown at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory added another trophy to KKR’s cabinet and highlighted their dominance in the IPL 2024 season.

Chasing a modest target of 114 runs, the Shreyas Iyer-led side delivered a commanding performance, clinching victory in just 10.3 overs. The match showcased KKR’s balanced and powerful bowling and batting gameplay.

First Innings Highlights

SRH’s batting lineup, which had been formidable throughout the season, faltered spectacularly in the final. They were bowled out for just 113 runs in 18.3 overs, unable to build any substantial partnerships.

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Andre Russell was the star with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. His aggressive and precise bowling dismantled the SRH middle order, preventing them from gaining momentum.

Mitchell Starc’s Performance

Mitchell Starc set the tone early with his lethal deliveries. He struck in the first over, removing Abhishek Sharma with a delivery that nipped away sharply to hit the off-stump. Starc finished with impressive figures of 2 for 14, showcasing his skill and justifying his hefty price tag.

Harshit Rana effectively supported the main bowlers, taking 2 crucial wickets for 24 runs. His ability to bowl in the right areas and extract movement off the pitch was instrumental in keeping the SRH batters in check.

SRH’s Struggle

The SRH batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of KKR’s disciplined bowling. Aiden Markram and Nitish Kumar Reddy tried to counter-attack but failed to convert their starts into significant scores. Pat Cummins’ brief resistance, scoring 24 runs, was the only highlight in an otherwise disappointing innings for SRH.

KKR’s Chase

KKR’s chase began steadily, with 5 runs from the opening over. However, they suffered a setback in the second over when opener Sunil Narine was caught by Shabaz off a delivery from Pat Cummins after hitting a maximum. Narine managed to score six runs from just two deliveries before his dismissal.

The Iyer-Gurbaz Partnership

Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz forged a formidable partnership in the middle, amassing 91 runs off just 45 balls. Gurbaz played a supportive role, scoring 39 runs from 32 deliveries, before falling to Cummins.

Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive and calculated approach saw him reach his fifty in just 24 balls. His powerful hitting and smart shot selection ensured that KKR stayed ahead of the required run rate.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer joined the chase with only 12 runs required off 67 balls. He opened his account with a boundary and guided the team to victory, displaying calm and decisive leadership.