In a thrilling conclusion to the high-scoring IPL 2024 season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious with an emphatic win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This championship win marks KKR’s third title in the Indian Premier League’s history, following their previous successes in 2012 and 2014. However, what makes this win even more historic is the record it shattered: the shortest playoff/knockout match in IPL history by overs, a record that stood unchallenged for 14 years.
The final match saw KKR chasing down a modest total of 114 runs with remarkable ease, having bowled out SRH for a mere 113 runs in just 18.3 overs. This chase barely made KKR break a sweat, as they achieved the target in just 10.3 overs, losing only two wickets in the process. The entire match duration was a brief 29 overs, a testament to KKR’s bowling and batting prowess in this climactic encounter.
To provide context, the previous record for the shortest playoff/knockout match was held by the third-place playoff match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Deccan Chargers (DC) in Navi Mumbai in 2010. That game lasted 32.2 overs, with RCB dismissing DC for 82 runs in 18.3 overs and subsequently chasing the target in 13.5 overs with nine wickets in hand. This record-breaking feat by KKR is now part of IPL lore and highlights their dominance in the final.
KKR set the tone of the match early with an impressive bowling performance. Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora dismantled the SRH top order, dismissing openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head within the first two overs. Head’s departure for a golden duck underscored his struggles in the tournament. Starc continued his impactful performance by taking out Rahul Tripathi in the fifth over. The subsequent wickets fell like dominoes as KKR’s diverse bowling attack, featuring six different bowlers, each took at least one wicket, leaving SRH reeling.
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Among the SRH players, only Pat Cummins managed to show some resistance with a 24-run knock from the seventh position. However, his dismissal in the 19th over sealed SRH’s fate as they posted the lowest total ever in an IPL final. Each attempt SRH made to stabilize their innings was swiftly countered by KKR’s disciplined bowling attack, which never allowed any partnership to flourish.
As KKR commenced their chase, they quickly established control over the game. Despite losing Sunil Narine to Cummins in the second over, Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz navigated the chase expertly. Iyer’s unbeaten fifty was a standout performance, complemented by Gurbaz’s solid 39 runs from 32 balls. The partnership between these two batsmen ensured there were no further hiccups in the chase.
Venkatesh Iyer fittingly scored the winning run, a single off an inside edge, which led to jubilant celebrations among the KKR players and fans. This comfortable and historical win not only secured them the championship but also placed their names in IPL history for the shortest playoff/knockout match.
The significance of this match extends beyond just records. It showcased KKR’s strategic and well-rounded team performance, from their balanced bowling attack to their composed batting lineup. The ability to restrict a competitive side like SRH to a low total and then chase it with such ease highlights the depth and versatility of the KKR squad.
For SRH, the final was a harsh end to what had been an otherwise competitive season. The team will likely revisit their strategies and player performances to understand what went wrong in the most crucial match. The early dismissals and constant loss of wickets were critical factors that led to their downfall in the final.
In summary, the IPL 2024 final was a fitting climax to a season filled with high-scoring games and intense competition. KKR’s dominance in the final not only earned them their third IPL title but also etched their names in the record books by breaking a 14-year-old record. The team’s all-around performance in the final was a masterclass in T20 cricket, underscoring their commitment and prowess. As the cricketing world reflects on this iconic match, the Knight Riders’ victory will be remembered as a milestone in IPL history.
