Cricket fans in India and around the world can breathe a sigh of relief. The skies above Chennai have cleared, ensuring a dry, albeit cloudy, atmosphere for the much-awaited IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Early Rain Scare, But Skies Clear for the Final Showdown
Earlier concerns about rain disrupting the final were quelled as Sunday dawned with a clear sky in Chennai, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. While KKR’s training session was indeed hampered by a brief downpour, the afternoon brought relief with Accuweather forecasting a mere 4% chance of precipitation. This eliminates the immediate threat of rain, although some cloud cover is expected throughout the match.
The IPL has a contingency plan in case the weather throws a last-minute curveball. A reserve day is in place, a safeguard implemented after the rain-marred 2023 final in Ahmedabad. That match, between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), was stretched into its third day due to persistent rain, with CSK eventually securing a thrilling victory in the wee hours of the morning.
The Road To Finale
KKR reached the final through a dominant performance in the league stage, finishing atop the points table with nine wins, three losses, and two no-results. They also defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1. This stellar performance earned them a direct entry into the final. SRH, on the other hand, had to work harder for their shot at the trophy. They were defeated by KKR in Qualifier 1 but secured a second chance through a convincing 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2.
SRH captain Pat Cummins, currently enjoying a golden run as captain across formats, acknowledged that his winning streak might eventually come to an end. During the pre-match press conference, he expressed, “It has been great. The run has got to stop at some point. It has been a great couple of years. I had not captained in T20 before this tournament. I did not know what to expect. It is quite fast-paced (in T20Is). Drawing on ODI captaincy last year, it (T20Is) did not feel too foreign.”
Pitch Variations Add Intrigue
The final will be played on a red-soil pitch, a contrast to the black-soil pitch used for the Qualifier 2 match between SRH and RR. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer commented on this difference, stating, “It is red soil, yesterday it was black. Looking through TV, we thought dew was going to play a role, but it did not the ball started spinning.” These variations in the pitch conditions add another layer of intrigue to the already high-voltage clash.
With the weather gods seemingly appeased and both teams well-prepared, the stage is set for a thrilling final. Regardless of who emerges victorious, the true winners will be the cricket fans worldwide who get to witness a potentially historic match that could cap off a truly remarkable IPL season.
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