The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued their dominant run in the IPL 2024 by securing a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the qualifier match. With this win, KKR has booked their place in the IPL final for the fourth time in the franchise’s history, having previously made it to the finals in 2012, 2014, and 2021.
KKR’s Bowlers Set the Tone
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, SRH had a disastrous start, courtesy of a fiery spell from KKR’s spearhead Mitchell Starc. The Australian pacer struck on the second ball of the match, dismissing Travis Head for a duck. This early breakthrough was just the beginning of a masterful bowling performance by Starc, who tore through the SRH top order with precision and pace.
Starc’s opening spell left SRH reeling at 39 for 4 within the first five overs. He ended his spell with impressive figures of 4-0-30-3, setting a daunting task for the SRH middle order to recover from the early setbacks.
SRH’s Middle Order Fightback
Amid the early carnage, Rahul Tripathi emerged as the lone warrior for SRH. Coming in at number three, Tripathi played a counter-attacking innings, scoring a brisk 55 off 35 balls, including seven boundaries and one six. He found an able partner in Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed a valuable 32 off 21 balls.
The pair added some much-needed stability and runs to the SRH innings, putting on a 62-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, the partnership ended when Klaasen fell to Varun Chakravarthy, caught by Rinku Singh. This dismissal triggered another collapse, with SRH losing their next five wickets for just 58 runs.
Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine’s Middle Overs Mastery
KKR’s spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, played a crucial role in choking the SRH batting lineup during the middle overs. Chakravarthy, in particular, was exceptional, taking two key wickets and giving away just 26 runs in his four overs. His variations and control kept the SRH batsmen guessing, preventing them from scoring freely.
Sunil Narine was equally effective, conceding 40 runs in his four overs while picking up one wicket.
SRH’s Struggle for Runs
Despite the valiant efforts of Tripathi and Klaasen, SRH could only muster a total of 159 runs before being bowled out in 19.3 overs. The lower order failed to contribute significantly, with Pat Cummins and Abdul Samad being the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
The SRH innings was marked by a series of poor shot selections and tight bowling from KKR, which eventually restricted them to a below-par total.
KKR’s Clinical Run Chase
Chasing 160 for a place in the final, KKR’s openers provided a solid start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played an aggressive knock, scoring 23 off 14 balls before falling to T Natarajan. Sunil Narine, promoted up the order, scored a quickfire 21 off 16 balls, ensuring KKR maintained a high run rate in the powerplay.
The foundation laid by the openers was capitalized upon by the Iyer duo, Venkatesh and Shreyas. Venkatesh Iyer was in scintillating form, smashing an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls with five fours and four sixes. His aggressive stroke play kept the pressure on the SRH bowlers, leaving them with no room to make a comeback.
Shreyas Iyer’s Captain’s Knock
Captain Shreyas Iyer played a captain’s innings, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 58 off 24 balls. His innings was laced with five boundaries and four sixes, demonstrating his ability to pace the innings perfectly. Iyer’s aggressive approach, especially towards the end, ensured that KKR chased down the target with ease.
His assault on Travis Head, who had a night to forget, was particularly brutal. Shreyas dispatched Head to all corners of the park, effectively sealing the win for KKR. The Iyer duo’s unbeaten 96-run partnership for the third wicket saw KKR reach the target in just 13.4 overs.
Key Performances
- Mitchell Starc: Starc’s fiery opening spell dismantled SRH’s top order, finishing with figures of 4-0-30-3.
- Varun Chakravarthy: A crucial spell in the middle overs, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs, stifling SRH’s run rate.
- Venkatesh Iyer: His explosive 51 not out off 28 balls set the tone for a comfortable chase.
- Shreyas Iyer: A captain’s knock of 58 not out off 24 balls, ensuring a swift and emphatic victory.
Looking Ahead
With this dominant performance, KKR has not only secured their place in the final but also sent a strong message to their potential opponents. The team has peaked at the right time, with both the bowlers and batsmen firing on all cylinders.
KKR will now turn their attention to the final, where they will aim to add a third IPL title to their trophy cabinet. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to IPL 2024, with KKR looking the team to beat. As they prepare for the ultimate showdown, fans can expect another high-octane performance from the Kolkata Knight Riders.