IPL 2024 Final: Kolkata Knight Riders Lift Third IPL Title, Former India And Pakistan Cricketers Congratulate
Chennai, May 26: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third IPL trophy with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final. The match saw stellar performances from Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell, who dismantled SRH's batting lineup.
KKR's bowlers were exceptional on a pitch that offered assistance, bowling out SRH for just 113 runs in 18.3 overs, the lowest score ever recorded in an IPL final. Venkatesh Iyer led KKR's chase with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls, ensuring victory in just 10.3 overs.
"No words to describe. It means so much. I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and worked towards one goal. This franchise has done a lot for me. It's a big gift from all of us to them," said Russell after the match.
SRH's innings began poorly with early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head during the powerplay. Pat Cummins and Aiden Markram were the top scorers with 24 and 20 runs, respectively. Starc (2/14) and Russell (3/19) played pivotal roles in KKR's dominance.
SRH captain Pat Cummins chose to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision backfired as SRH's batting lineup collapsed. Starc's opening spell was particularly effective, with his delivery to dismiss Abhishek Sharma setting the tone for KKR's attack.
Despite efforts from Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram to stabilize the innings, SRH struggled to build partnerships. Harshit Rana (2/24) and Russell ensured there was no comeback, leaving SRH at 40 for 3 by the end of the powerplay.
Many congratulations @KKRiders on a 3rd IPL title. As @iamsrk says, Kisi cheez ko dil se chaho toh poori kaaynat use tumse milaane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai.
Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 26, 2024
Special credit to @ShreyasIyer15 for leading the side brilliantly in the field and executing the plans so well.
Its… pic.twitter.com/AE7Cs1Wi9v
Swift Chase by KKR
KKR's chase was swift and decisive. Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed a solid 39 runs, complementing Iyer's explosive half-century. The victory was a team effort, with each player contributing significantly. Gurbaz's three catches behind the stumps and his return after attending to his ailing mother added an emotional touch to his performance.
This triumph marks KKR's third IPL title, placing them alongside Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in the elite club of three-time champions. The final showcased KKR's team spirit and strategic brilliance under head coach Chandrakant Pandit and Gautam Gambhir.
Individual Comebacks and Team Resilience
The story of KKR's success this season is marked by individual comebacks and collective resilience. From Starc's redemption after a disappointing league phase to Varun Chakravarthy's crafty bowling comeback, every player had a significant role.
As KKR celebrated their clinical victory, owner Shah Rukh Khan joined the festivities, marking the end of a memorable season. Starc's performance, worth every bit of his Rs 24.75 crore price tag, was the highlight of a night that exemplified KKR's dominance in the IPL 2024 final.
Reactions from Former Cricketers
Former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan, now a politician in Bengal and former Knight Rider, congratulated KKR on X (formerly Twitter). Wasim Jaffer also praised KKR for breaking Pat Cummins' winning streak. Robin Uthappa, part of KKR’s past triumphs, congratulated his former team on their third IPL win.
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