The IPL2024 final witnessed an extraordinary display of dominance as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third title by overwhelming SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a remarkably one-sided match. Held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 26, KKR bowled SRH out for a meager 113 and chased down the target with 57 balls and 8 wickets to spare.
Historic Victory for KKR
KKR’s victory in the IPL2024 final is significant as it marks their third championship win, making them one of the most successful teams in IPL history. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, KKR joined an elite group of teams with multiple IPL titles. Iyer became only the second KKR captain, after Gautam Gambhir, to lift the trophy. This triumph places KKR behind only Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), who have five titles each.
SRH’s Disastrous Collapse
Pat Cummins’s SRH had a nightmare of a final, unable to live up to their performance throughout the season. The final match saw SRH’s batting line-up crumble under pressure, recording the lowest team total in IPL final history. Their earlier season exploits, which included posting the highest-ever IPL total of 287, seemed like a distant memory as they failed to cope with the pressure of the big day.
KKR’s All-Round Dominance
Bowling Brilliance
KKR’s bowling attack was relentless from the start. Mitchell Starc led the charge, dismantling SRH’s top-order with precision. Andre Russell, playing his first IPL final for KKR, was the standout bowler, taking 3 crucial wickets. Vaibhav Arora’s early breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Travis Head, set the tone for KKR’s dominance.
Harshit Rana, one of the season’s revelations, continued his impressive form, taking 2 wickets for just 24 runs. Rana’s dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen was particularly crucial, ensuring SRH never got the momentum they needed.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Heroics
In the chase, Venkatesh Iyer was the star for KKR. His blistering 24-ball fifty demoralized SRH’s bowlers and put the result beyond doubt. Iyer’s innings, filled with aggressive strokes, ensured KKR reached the target in just 9.3 overs. His unbeaten 52 off 26 balls was a fitting reward for his fearless approach.
Captain’s Role
Shreyas Iyer, leading from the front, was in the middle when the winning runs were scored. His leadership throughout the tournament and calm presence in the final were instrumental in KKR’s successful campaign.
SRH’s Struggle on the Big Day
SRH’s famed power-hitting lineup, which had revolutionized IPL2024, failed to deliver when it mattered most. The opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who had been prolific throughout the season, faltered under the pressure. Captain Pat Cummins, with 24 runs, was the only batsman to show some resistance, but it was far from enough.
The middle order, including Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen, could not handle the sustained pressure from KKR’s bowlers. SRH’s inability to build partnerships and their frequent loss of wickets spelled their doom in the final.
KKR’s emphatic victory in the IPL2024 final highlights their prowess and ability to perform under pressure. With this win, KKR has solidified their legacy in IPL history, showcasing an all-round performance that left SRH with no answers. The final, marked by KKR’s dominance, will be remembered as one of the most one-sided affairs in IPL history, underscoring the unpredictability and excitement that the tournament continues to offer.
