In a thrilling finale at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious, clinching their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title and their first in a decade. KKR outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in every department, securing a resounding eight-wicket win in the IPL 2024 final held on Sunday, May 26.
The celebrations were grand, with former KKR star Chris Gayle leading the charge. Gayle, who played for KKR in the 2009 and 2010 editions of the IPL, was seen celebrating in style, singing, and dancing to the popular tune ‘Danza Kuduro’ in a video shared on social media. He congratulated his former teammates, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, adding a nostalgic touch to KKR’s triumphant night.
Chris Gayle celebrates KKR victory
The match started with KKR winning the toss and opting to bat first. Their decision paid off as their bowlers immediately put SRH under pressure. Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora set the tone with the new ball, quickly dismantling SRH’s dangerous opening pair, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, within the first few overs. The early breakthroughs set the stage for a dominant performance, as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. SRH found themselves reeling at 62 for 5 within 11 overs.
Andre Russell was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, claiming three crucial wickets. The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy kept a tight leash on the scoring, further stifling SRH’s progress. Harshit Rana also shone, bagging two wickets and bowling the only maiden over of the match. Despite their best efforts, SRH could only muster a total of 113 runs, being bowled out in 18.3 overs.
In reply, KKR faced an early setback as Pat Cummins fell in the first over. However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer quickly turned the tide with an explosive 91-run partnership off just 45 balls. Gurbaz’s 32-ball 39 provided a solid foundation, while Iyer’s unbeaten 52 off 26 balls ensured a smooth chase. Captain Shreyas Iyer added the finishing touches as KKR cruised to victory with 57 balls to spare.
Following the match, various cricketing personalities weighed in on KKR’s emphatic win. Ambati Rayudu humorously remarked on Virat Kohli’s focus on the Orange Cap, emphasizing that team performance outweighs individual accolades. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, the co-owner of KKR, was seen imitating Harshit Rana’s flying kiss celebration, capturing the joyous mood of the night.
This victory marks KKR’s third IPL title, adding to their previous wins in 2012 and 2014. The win is a testament to their resilience and team spirit, coming a full decade after their last championship. As the curtains fell on the IPL 2024 season, KKR’s comprehensive victory was a fitting end, celebrating not just their triumph but also the sheer entertainment and excitement that the IPL continues to bring to cricket fans worldwide.
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