The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the final at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This win marks KKR’s third IPL title and their first in a decade.
Bowling Trio Shines for KKR
KKR’s bowling attack, spearheaded by pacer Mitchell Starc and ably supported by youngsters Harshit Rana and spin duo Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, proved to be a key factor in their championship run. Bowling coach Bharat Arun was effusive in his praise for the bowlers after the win.
“He [Harshit Rana] has been outstanding,” Arun said about the young pacer, who finished the season as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps in 13 matches. “It is about backing your strengths.”
Arun reserved special praise for Starc, the tournament’s most expensive player at Rs. 24.75 crore. “Mitch coming into the team boosted the confidence of other youngsters in the side,” Arun said. “He is probably the best bowler in the world. Once he understood the Indian conditions, he was excellent.”
Starc’s impact was most evident in the playoffs, where he picked up a crucial five wickets across Qualifier 1 and the final.
Spinners and Surprise Opener Fuel KKR’s Success
Arun also acknowledged the vital contributions of spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. Varun finished the season with 21 wickets in 15 matches, while Narine’s all-around performance was a revelation. Not only did Narine take 17 wickets, but he also surprised everyone by opening the batting, amassing 488 runs with a century and three fifties.
“Spinners mature with age, and with Sunny and Varun bowling in tandem, it was superb,” Arun said. “[On Narine the batter] He brought a totally different dimension to our batting. It was Gautam [Gambhir, KKR mentor] who insisted that he opened and it paid dividends.”
Dominating Performance in the Final
SRH, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were restricted to a meager 113 runs in 18.3 overs. Mitchell Starc (2/14) and Harshit Rana (2/24) justified their selection with economical spells, while Andre Russell picked up three wickets for just 19 runs.
In reply, KKR openers Venkatesh Iyer (52* off 26 balls) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 off 32 balls) tore apart the SRH bowling attack, chasing down the target in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets remaining.
This victory marks a remarkable comeback for KKR, who had struggled in recent seasons. The contributions of young talents like Rana and Iyer, combined with the experience of Starc, Narine, and the guidance of coach Bharat Arun and mentor Gautam Gambhir, proved to be a winning formula. The celebrations have begun for the Kolkata Knight Riders as they reclaim their place at the pinnacle of the IPL.
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