The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged triumphant in the IPL 2024 final, thrashing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory marks KKR’s third IPL title, solidifying their position as a dominant force in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer channels Lionel Messi
After receiving the trophy from BCCI officials including secretary Jay Shah, skipper Shreyas Iyer paid homage to Lionel Messi’s iconic celebration from the FIFA World Cup.
This gesture mirrored the elation felt by Messi after leading Argentina to victory in December 2022.
KKR: The “Invincibles” of IPL 2024
Iyer, rightfully proud of his team’s performance, lauded KKR as the “invincibles” of the season. Their winning streak of six matches, starting from late April, culminated in this championship victory. KKR’s exceptional performance throughout the season, including topping the league table and defeating SRH in Qualifier 1, solidified their well-deserved title.
“We played like invincibles throughout the season,” declared Iyer during the post-match presentation. “There’s so much to cherish right now… We have been tremendous from game one.”
SRH falter under KKR bowling prowess
KKR opted to bowl first, and their decision proved to be a masterstroke. Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora wreaked havoc on the SRH top order, dismissing both openers cheaply.
The damage continued with Harshit Rana and Andre Russell picking up crucial wickets, dismantling the SRH batting line-up. SRH were bundled out for a meagre 113 runs – the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL final.
KKR bat with authority
Set a paltry target, KKR openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer started aggressively. While Narine departed early, Iyer took center stage, smashing boundaries with ease. He blasted a blistering 24-ball fifty, putting KKR on the fast track to victory.
The team chased down the target with a staggering 57 balls to spare, showcasing their complete dominance.
The Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumph in the IPL 2024 final was a display of exceptional teamwork, brilliant bowling, and aggressive batting. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and his celebratory nod to Messi added to the night’s magic, making it a truly memorable chapter in KKR’s IPL history.
