KKR Triumphs Over SRH in IPL 2024 Final 2 Secure Third Title

KKR Clinches Third IPL Title with Dominant Win Over SRH in 2024 Final

The IPL 2024 final on May 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai saw the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinch their third IPL title with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The match, characterized by KKR’s dominant performance, highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams and underscored KKR’s supremacy in this season’s tournament.

Pre-Match Context

The stage was set at the iconic Chepauk Stadium, known for its spin-friendly pitch and humid conditions, which often play a crucial role in the outcome of the game. SRH won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision influenced by their recent success in defending totals. They hoped to put up a challenging score and utilize the spin-friendly conditions to their advantage.

Team Line-Ups

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):

• Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, T Natarajan.
• Impact Players: Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Mayank Markande, Abdul Samad.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):

• Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.
• Impact Players: Anukul Roy, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey.

Match Highlights

Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings:

The match began with SRH’s top-order facing the fiery pace of Mitchell Starc and the swing of Vaibhav Arora. The initial overs proved to be disastrous for SRH, setting the tone for their batting collapse.

• Early Wickets:
  • 1st Over: Mitchell Starc, renowned for his lethal deliveries, struck early by dismissing Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek, trying to play an outswinger, was bowled out by a ball that moved late to hit the top of off stump. SRH were immediately on the back foot at 3 for 1.
  • 2nd Over: Travis Head, struggling to find his rhythm, faced Vaibhav Arora’s precision. Arora, exploiting the conditions, bowled a delivery that swung away late, taking Head’s edge and landing in the hands of the wicketkeeper. SRH further slumped to 6 for 2.
• Powerplay Struggles:
  • 5th Over: Starc continued his onslaught, this time targeting Rahul Tripathi. Tripathi, attempting to flick a full-length delivery, only managed a top edge that was easily caught. SRH were reeling at 21 for 3.
• Middle Order Collapse:
  • 7th Over: Harshit Rana joined the attack, maintaining the pressure on SRH. He delivered a seam-up delivery that Nitish Kumar Reddy edged to the slips. SRH’s score further plummeted to 47 for 4.
  • 11th Over: Aiden Markram, SRH’s captain, tried to stabilize the innings but fell victim to Andre Russell’s deceptive pace. Markram’s attempted pull resulted in a catch at long-on. SRH were 62 for 5.
• Lower Order Resistance:
  • 12th Over: Shahbaz Ahmed’s brief stint ended with a top-edged sweep off Varun Chakravarthy, caught by Sunil Narine at short fine leg. SRH were 71 for 6.
  • 15th Over: Heinrich Klaasen, the lone fighter, fell to Harshit Rana’s slower delivery, which gripped and took the inside edge, disturbing the stumps. SRH’s collapse continued as they found themselves at 90 for 8.
  • 18th Over: Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat offered some resistance, adding 23 runs off 22 balls, but their efforts were not enough to pull SRH out of the quagmire. SRH were bowled out for 113 in 18.5 overs.

Scorecard Summary:

• Top Scorer: Pat Cummins (24 runs)
• Key Bowling Figures:
  • Mitchell Starc: 3 wickets for 20 runs
  • Vaibhav Arora: 2 wickets for 21 runs
  • Harshit Rana: 2 wickets for 25 runs
  • Varun Chakravarthy: 1 wicket for 18 runs

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings:

Chasing a modest target of 114, KKR’s openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine, started aggressively. Despite the early loss of Narine, KKR’s batting lineup showed no signs of pressure.

• Aggressive Start:
  • 1st Over: Gurbaz and Narine began confidently, but Narine fell to Pat Cummins in the second over, edging a delivery to the slip fielder. KKR were 11 for 1.
  • 3rd Over: Venkatesh Iyer took the attack to SRH’s bowlers. He hammered Bhuvneshwar Kumar for two consecutive sixes, setting the pace for a rapid chase. KKR were 37 for 1.
• Dominant Powerplay:
  • 6th Over: Iyer and Gurbaz continued their onslaught, taking 20 runs off T Natarajan’s over. KKR recorded the highest powerplay score in IPL final history, reaching 72 for 1.
• Smooth Chase:
  • Despite losing Gurbaz to a controversial lbw decision for 39 runs, KKR’s captain Shreyas Iyer joined Venkatesh Iyer at the crease. The duo ensured a smooth chase.
  • 10th Over: Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive approach paid off as he remained unbeaten on 52 off 26 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours. KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs.

Scorecard Summary:

• Top Scorer: Venkatesh Iyer (52* off 26 balls)
• Key Partnerships:
  • Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive powerplay partnership set the foundation for a quick chase.
  • Shreyas Iyer provided stability and finished the match alongside Venkatesh Iyer.

Key Takeaways

KKR’s Dominance:

• KKR’s comprehensive performance, both with the ball and the bat, showcased their dominance throughout the season. Mitchell Starc’s early breakthroughs set the tone for the match, while Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive batting ensured a swift victory.

SRH’s Struggles:

• SRH’s decision to bat first backfired as their top order crumbled under pressure. Their aggressive batting strategy, which had previously yielded success, led to a collapse in the most crucial match of the season.

Standout Performers:

• Mitchell Starc: His incisive bowling in the powerplay dismantled SRH’s top order, setting the stage for KKR’s dominance.
• Venkatesh Iyer: His quickfire 52* not only highlighted his form but also ensured that KKR chased the target comfortably.

In-Depth Analysis

Mitchell Starc’s Spell: Starc’s spell was a masterclass in fast bowling. Utilizing the early movement, he bowled with precision and pace, making it difficult for the SRH batsmen to settle. His ability to swing the ball late, both in and out, was instrumental in removing key SRH batsmen early in the innings. Starc’s figures of 3 for 20 were crucial in derailing SRH’s innings before it could gain any momentum.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Innings: Iyer’s innings was a blend of power and timing. From the outset, he was aggressive, targeting SRH’s key bowlers and dismantling their strategies. His ability to find gaps and clear the boundary with ease put immense pressure on SRH, negating their hopes of defending a low total. Iyer’s unbeaten 52 off 26 balls ensured that KKR reached the target with ease and in style.

SRH’s Tactical Missteps: SRH’s decision to bat first was rooted in their recent successes defending totals. However, they failed to account for the early movement and the quality of KKR’s bowling attack. The early loss of wickets meant they could never recover, and their middle order’s failure to build partnerships further compounded their woes. Additionally, their bowlers were unable to contain KKR’s aggressive batting, particularly during the powerplay.

Conclusion

The IPL 2024 final was a testament to Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-round excellence and strategic superiority. Their victory was a result of meticulous planning, precise execution, and outstanding individual performances. From Mitchell Starc’s early breakthroughs to Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive batting, KKR outclassed SRH in all departments.

For SRH, the final was a harsh reminder of the volatility of T20 cricket. Despite a strong season, their aggressive approach on the biggest stage led to their downfall. However, their journey to the final showcased their potential, and they will undoubtedly be eager to come back stronger next season