The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and historic matches in the tournament’s history. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended their decade-long wait to lift the coveted trophy, overcoming Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a dominant performance. The match, which saw remarkable individual performances and strategic brilliance, culminated in KKR claiming victory with eight wickets to spare.
Toss and Team Line-ups
SRH won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision driven by the desire to set a formidable target and utilize their bowling strengths in the second innings. However, the plan did not unfold as expected, owing to disciplined and incisive bowling from the KKR attack.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings
SRH’s batting line-up, featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and explosive hitters, was put to the test by the relentless KKR bowlers.
SRH Batting Performance
- A. Sharma: Sharma’s brief stint at the crease was ended by a superb delivery from Mitchell Starc, who clean bowled him for just 2 runs off 5 balls.
- T. Head: Head, substituted in early, faced only one ball before being caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Vaibhav Arora’s bowling, leaving SRH at a precarious 2 for 2.
- R. Tripathi: Tripathi struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 9 runs off 13 balls before being dismissed by Starc, caught by Ramandeep Singh.
- A. Markram: The SRH captain, Aiden Markram, managed to add some stability with his 20 runs off 23 balls, but was eventually caught by Starc off Andre Russell.
- N. K. Reddy: Reddy’s quick 13 off 10 balls, featuring one four and one six, provided some momentum, but he was caught by Gurbaz off Harshit Rana.
- H. Klaasen (Wk): Klaasen’s 16 runs off 17 balls did not threaten the KKR bowlers, as he was bowled by Rana.
- S. Ahmed: Ahmed hit a six to boost the score but fell for 8 off 7 balls, caught by Sunil Narine off Varun Chakaravarthy.
- A. Samad (IP): Substituted in, Samad scored 4 off 4 balls before being caught by Gurbaz off Russell.
- P. Cummins ©: Cummins, leading from the front, top-scored with 24 runs off 19 balls, including two fours and a six, before being caught by Starc off Russell.
- J. Unadkat: Unadkat’s resistance was brief, scoring 4 off 11 balls before being trapped lbw by Narine.
- B. Kumar: Kumar remained not out without facing a ball.
SRH’s innings concluded at a modest 113 runs in 18.3 overs, a target that seemed below par given the batting-friendly conditions at the stadium.
KKR Bowling Performance
KKR’s bowlers executed their plans with precision, making use of variations and disciplined line and length.
- Mitchell Starc: Starc’s fiery opening spell set the tone, taking 2 wickets for 14 runs in his 3 overs.
- Vaibhav Arora: Arora provided crucial support with a wicket for 24 runs in his 3 overs.
- Harshit Rana: Rana’s 4 overs yielded 24 runs and 2 wickets, demonstrating his control and accuracy.
- Sunil Narine: The veteran spinner was economical and effective, taking 1 wicket for 16 runs in his 4 overs.
- Andre Russell: Russell’s all-round performance shone through, with 3 wickets for 19 runs in 2.3 overs.
- Varun Chakaravarthy: Chakaravarthy’s 2 overs were impressive, conceding only 9 runs and claiming a vital wicket. Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
Chasing a target of 114 runs, KKR’s batting line-up was in commanding form, showcasing both aggression and composure.
KKR Batting Performance
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk): Gurbaz’s aggressive start laid a strong foundation, scoring 39 runs off 32 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed lbw by Shahbaz Ahmed.
- Sunil Narine: Promoted up the order, Narine smashed a six in his brief appearance, scoring 6 runs off 2 balls before being caught by Shahbaz Ahmed off Pat Cummins.
- Venkatesh Iyer: Iyer’s blistering knock of 52 not out off 26 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, was the highlight of the innings, steering KKR to victory.
- Shreyas Iyer ©: The KKR captain contributed with a quick 6 runs off 3 balls, complementing Venkatesh Iyer’s efforts to seal the win. SRH Bowling Performance
SRH’s bowlers struggled to contain the KKR batsmen, as their total proved too small to defend.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Kumar’s 2 overs were expensive, conceding 25 runs.
- Pat Cummins ©: The SRH captain managed to take a wicket but gave away 18 runs in his 2 overs.
- T. Natarajan: Natarajan’s 2 overs were costly, yielding 29 runs without any wickets.
- Shahbaz Ahmed: Ahmed took 1 wicket for 22 runs in his 2.3 overs.
- J. Unadkat: Unadkat bowled 1 over for 9 runs.
- A. Markram: Markram’s solitary over cost 5 runs. Conclusion and Key Moments
KKR’s victory was a culmination of strategic brilliance, individual performances, and team effort. Several key moments defined the match:
- Mitchell Starc’s Opening Spell: Starc’s early breakthroughs destabilized SRH, putting them on the back foot from the onset.
- Andre Russell’s All-Round Performance: Russell’s crucial wickets and aggressive bowling were instrumental in restricting SRH to a low total.
- Venkatesh Iyer’s Match-Winning Innings: Iyer’s explosive batting ensured that KKR chased down the target with ease, exhibiting both power and finesse.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed a masterclass in T20 cricket, where KKR’s blend of experience and youth shone through, leading them to their third IPL title after a gap of ten years. This victory not only broke their title drought but also solidified their status as one of the formidable teams in the IPL history.
Post-Match Celebrations and Reactions
The victory triggered jubilant celebrations among the KKR players, support staff, and fans. Captain Shreyas Iyer praised his team’s all-round performance, emphasizing the collective effort that led to their triumph. Venkatesh Iyer was adjudged the Player of the Match for his unbeaten half-century that ensured a smooth chase.
SRH’s captain, Pat Cummins, acknowledged KKR’s superiority on the day and highlighted the positives from their campaign. Despite the loss, SRH’s journey to the final was marked by several commendable performances.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 IPL final was a fitting climax to a season filled with exciting matches, emerging talents, and intense rivalries. KKR’s resurgence as champions after a decade will inspire their loyal fan base and set the stage for future competitions.
As the cricketing world reflects on another memorable IPL season, the focus will soon shift to the next edition, where teams will look to regroup, strategize, and compete for the ultimate glory. For now, KKR can bask in the glory of their hard-earned victory, celebrating a night that will be etched in the annals of IPL history
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