Kolkata Knight Riders‘s bowlers, led by the magnificent Mitchell Starc, ripped through the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting line-up to secure a convincing eight-wicket victory in the IPL 2024 final. This win marks their third IPL title, solidifying their position as one of the tournament’s most successful teams.
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Starc Replicates World Cup Heroics
Just like in the 2015 World Cup final, Starc spearheaded the bowling attack, delivering what many are calling the “ball of the tournament.” His opening delivery swung away viciously, dismissing Abhishek Sharma. This early wicket set the tone for a dominant bowling performance by Kolkata.
KKR’s Complete Bowling Dominance
KKR’s bowling attack, arguably the most potent in the tournament, thrived on a pitch offering early seam movement followed by spin later on. Remarkably, five out of the six KKR bowlers used claimed a wicket in their first over, including a golden duck for SRH’s key player, Travis Head.
SRH Falter Under Pressure
SRH batsmen struggled to cope with the swing and seam bowling from Kolkata. Their strategy of taking risks backfired spectacularly, resulting in a constant stream of wickets. By the end of the innings, SRH were bundled out for a meager 113 runs, the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL final.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Blitzkrieg Seals the Win
Chasing a modest target, KKR openers Venkatesh Iyer and Gurbaz cruised to victory with 57 balls to spare. Iyer, in particular, played a scintillating knock of 52 runs off just 26 balls, effectively ending any hopes of an SRH comeback.
Star of the Match Performances
Mitchell Starc (KKR): Starc’s match-winning spell of 2-14 included the crucial early wicket and showcased his mastery of swing bowling.
Andre Russell (KKR): Russell’s all-around performance was crucial. He picked up 3 wickets for 19 runs with his fiery pace bowling and finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps.
Venkatesh Iyer (KKR): Iyer’s aggressive batting display in the chase ensured a smooth victory for KKR.
KKR’s clinical performance in the final showcased their exceptional bowling attack and their ability to chase down targets with ease. This victory marks a significant moment for the franchise, solidifying their place among the IPL’s elite.