Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 159 in 20 overs, where as Kolkata Knight Riders scored 164/2 in 13.4 overs.
So, finally Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s “live by the sword, die by the sword” ideology led to their downfall in the first qualifier, as Kolkata Knight Riders cruised into the final of IPL 2024.
The table-toppers delivered a stellar bowling performance, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, before Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer powered them through the chase of SRH’s modest 159 with eight wickets and 38 balls to spare.
This marks KKR’s first IPL final appearance since 2021.
Where was the game won?
SRH were outclassed across all phases, but KKR secured the game with their Power Play dominance.
While SRH lost their explosive openers and a few more wickets, stumbling into the middle-overs, KKR were comfortably positioned with their ninth 60-plus Power Play score of the season.
The PowerPlay difference
| Parameters | SRH | KKR |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 45/4 | 63/1 |
| 4s/6s | 6 and 0 | 9 and 2 |
| RR | 7.5 | 10.5 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Power Play: Mitchell Starc Wipes Out Top Order
Phase score – 45/4 [RR: 7.50, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Two days ago, Arshdeep Singh demonstrated the effectiveness of targeting the stumps against Travis Head.
Mitchell Starc took this to heart, bowling Head’s middle and off-stump with the second ball of the game.
Vaibhav Arora then removed Abhishek Sharma in the second over, thanks to a sharp catch by Andre Russell at cover.
Despite a shaky start, Rahul Tripathi attempted to counter-attack, but Starc continued his onslaught by dismissing Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed with consecutive deliveries in his third over.
KKR didn’t concede a single six, leaving SRH with their third lowest Power Play score of the season.
Middle-Overs: SRH Lose Their Way After Solid Counter-Attack
Phase score – 80/4 [RR: 8.89, 4s/6s: 5/4]
Tripathi was fortunate to survive beyond the third over when KKR didn’t review an LBW appeal.
He began his counter-attack with a ramp shot off Harshit Rana in the eighth over.
Tripathi and Klaasen then targeted Sunil Narine, hitting 18 runs in one over.
They doubled SRH’s Power Play score within four overs, with Tripathi reaching his 30-ball fifty in the 11th over, pushing SRH to 100.
However, Varun CV struck back by having Klaasen caught at deep mid-wicket for a 21-ball 32.
Abdul Samad continued SRH’s aggressive approach, hitting his first ball for six off Narine.
KKR regained control with the wickets of Tripathi, who was run out for a 35-ball 55, Sanvir Singh, who was bowled first ball by Narine, and Samad, caught at long-off by Harshit Rana.
Death-Overs: Pat Cummins Drags SRH Past 150
Phase score – 34/2 [RR: 7.56, 4s/6s: 2/2]
SRH captain Pat Cummins pierced the off-side field and executed an audacious reverse scoop for six off Varun CV, dragging his team forward.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth provided support in a last-wicket stand, allowing Cummins to add vital runs.
Cummins mistimed a ball from Starc for a six and sliced another through point, extending the innings into the final over.
Three balls in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught a top-edge from Cummins, ending the SRH innings at 159.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Power Play: Gurbaz Falls but KKR Fly
Phase score – 63/1 [RR: 10.50, 4s/6s: 9/2]
Sunil Narine initiated the chase by driving Pat Cummins for two fours.
Gurbaz added to the carnage with a top-edged six over third man.
SRH exhausted both reviews by the third over, seeking early wickets in vain.
T Natarajan dismissed Gurbaz, but KKR continued to dominate the Power Play, with Venkatesh Iyer joining in to maintain the momentum.
Middle-Overs: Venkatesh, Shreyas Iyer Complete KKR’s Gallop
Phase score – 101/1 [RR: 13.17, 4s/6s: 8/8]
Cummins dismissed Narine, but Venkatesh Iyer kept KKR on track.
SRH’s fielding lapses didn’t help their cause, and Venkatesh reached his 28-ball fifty with a six.
He and Shreyas Iyer built a formidable partnership, exploiting SRH’s part-time bowlers like Travis Head and Nitish Reddy.
Shreyas hammered Head for 6, 4, 6 in the 14th over to reach his 23-ball fifty and finished the game with another six, sealing the chase in style.
What Next?
Both teams travel to Chennai.
KKR have four days to prepare for the summit clash on Sunday (March 26).
Meanwhile, SRH will face the winner of the Eliminator between RR and RCB in the second qualifier on Friday (March 24).
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