Srinagar: Shahrukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) trounced Sunrisers Risers Hyderabad (SRH) to lift the coveted Indian Premier League’s 2024 title – in the final played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Winning the toss, Sunrisers Hyderabad opted to bat first. However, the decision backfired as KKR bowlers came all guns blazing at an otherwise flamboyant batting line up. Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc bowled peach of a delivery to dismiss SRH opener Abhishek Sharma. Andre Russell alongside other bowlers struck intermittently to restrict the SRH at a paltry score of 113 in 18.3 overs. While Russel picked up three scalps, Starc, Harshit Rana took two wickets each.
The misery of SRH batters can be gauged from the fact that lower middle order batter Pat Cummins, who also is leading the side, stood as highest run getter in the match with 24 runs. Only three other batters could score in double figures.
Setting out to chase the target, KKR lost in-form Sunil Narine on aggregate scoreline of 11 runs. The early breakthrough gave a lease of hope to the opponent SRH, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer flayed the Hyderabad bowlers to take their team on the brink of a memorable win in the all-important contest. With fall of Gurbaz on 102, in came KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer to see the team through alongside Venkatesh Iyer, with eight wickets in hand.