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| Photo: BCCI &IPL |
Match Summary:
Sunrisers Hyderabad's Innings: SRH struggled right from the start, losing wickets consistently due to KKR's disciplined bowling. They managed to post only 113 runs in their 20 overs, with Pat Cummins top-scoring with 24 runs. Andre Russell was the standout bowler for KKR, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Mitchell Starc and other bowlers also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
KKR Bowling Dominance: KKR’s strategy was clear from the outset - capitalize on the movement and minimize errors. Mitchell Starc set the tone early with his swinging deliveries, dismissing Travis Head and setting up the early collapse of SRH’s top order. Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana also contributed effectively, restricting SRH to a modest total despite a late surge from Cummins.
KKR's Powerplay Blitz: In response to SRH's total, KKR started aggressively in the powerplay. Venkatesh and Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a brutal assault on SRH’s bowlers, particularly Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan, scoring a record 72 runs in the first six overs. This set the foundation for a comfortable chase.
Gurbaz and Venkatesh Partnership: Rahmanullah Gurbaz played aggressively, scoring 39 runs before being controversially given out lbw, which couldn’t be reviewed due to a technology failure. Venkatesh, on the other hand, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52, steering KKR towards victory alongside contributions from other batsmen.
Shreyas Iyer's Redemption: KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who has had a challenging year losing his spot in the Indian national team, was at the crease when KKR secured the win. This victory marked a significant moment of redemption for him personally, underscoring his leadership and batting capabilities under pressure.
Key Moments:
Starc and Arora's Early Strikes: Mitchell Starc's lethal opening spell and Vaibhav Arora's crucial wickets in the powerplay dismantled SRH's top order, setting them back early in the innings.
Russell's Impact: Andre Russell’s three wickets, including the important scalp of Abdul Samad, showcased his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs and maintain pressure on SRH throughout their innings.
KKR's Powerplay Record: The aggressive batting display by Venkatesh and Gurbaz in the powerplay, scoring 72 runs, set a new record for the most runs scored in the powerplay of an IPL final, highlighting their intent and dominance early on.
Technology Issue and Gurbaz's Dismissal: Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s dismissal due to an lbw decision that couldn't be reviewed due to a technology breakdown added a twist to KKR's chase. However, it didn't derail them significantly as they comfortably chased down the target.
Conclusion:
KKR’s comprehensive victory in the IPL 2024 final showcased their all-round prowess, with dominant bowling restricting SRH to a low total and aggressive batting ensuring a smooth chase. Mitchell Starc’s early breakthroughs, Andre Russell’s impactful bowling, and Venkatesh’s composed batting were pivotal in securing their victory. For SRH, it was a disappointing end to their campaign, unable to counter KKR’s disciplined approach. Shreyas Iyer’s presence at the winning moment added a personal triumph to KKR’s collective success, marking a memorable conclusion to the IPL season.
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