IPL 2024 Final: KKR Hai Taiyar! Unwavering Belief Helps Knight Riders Shine Against Adversity

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kolkata Knight Riders' last result-oriented game was played on May 11 when the two-time champions defeated Mumbai Indians by 18 runs and secured the playoffs berth with their 9th win in IPL 2024.

Since then, the Shreyas Iyer-led side had back-to-back washouts against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals. Both were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

KKR's rhythm was disrupted by two washouts in quick succession. Their match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad was rained out, followed by another abandonment against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.

This unexpected break, spanning across west and east India with a seven-day gap in between, left the team with concerns about their match readiness for the crucial Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

KKR Navigates Washouts and Key Player Absence

SRH, on the other hand, were coming on the back of another morale-boosting win where the Pat Cummins-led side defeated the Punjab Kings at the same venue, after chasing down 214. SRH's recent win and menacing form stood as major roadblocks for the men in Purple and Gold.

As if the rain delays weren't enough, the Knight Riders suffered another blow with the departure of their in-form opener Phil Salt for national duty in early May. Salt, the team's second-highest run scorer with an impressive 435 runs in 12 games at a blistering strike rate of 182.01, including four fifties, left a big hole to fill.

In his absence, the responsibility of providing a strong start in the powerplay fell on the experienced all-rounder Sunil Narine. Narine, currently the leading run scorer for KKR this season with 482 runs in 14 games, was once again promoted to open the batting. However, the back-to-back washouts in Ahmedabad and Guwahati prevented him from forming a new opening partnership with Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

In the opposition camp, the opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma look hell-bent on rewriting record books and redefining the way batters should open the batting in the T20s with their bludgeoning of the bowlers. Coming into the game, SRH looked favourites as they had the preparation, assessment of the pitch, winning momentum and a perfect winning combination.

KKR's Belief Paves the Way for IPL 2024 Final Berth

But KKR, despite numerous hurdles in their way, arrived in Ahmedabad with great resolve and determination. The senior-most player in the side Mitchell Starc, who also happens to be the most expensive player of not just the team but in the entire history of the league, led from the front.

The senior left-arm Aussie pacer dismantled SRH's top order by dismissing dangerous Head for a two-ball duck. He then removed Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed inside the powerplay to push SRH batting against the wall.

The spinners and pacers then kept applying pressure on the Hyderabad batters and eventually ensured their team had a paltry 160-run target to chase by bundling SRH out for 159 in 19.3 overs. The batters then overhauled the target in 13.4 overs, with captain Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer slamming unbeaten half-centuries.

Guru Gambhir's motivation worked well for KKR

In his very first speech with the team in March, when he took over as KKR's mentor, Gambhir could be heard saying, "On 26th May, we should be there, giving everything possible and it all starts from today." Gambhir's 'never give up attitude' seems to have rubbed off on the players as fast forward May 21, the team has propelled itself into the final with hard work and determination.

KKR's dominant performance against SRH was a testament to their unwavering self-belief, their mental strength and ability to perform under pressure. Despite facing numerous challenges, they refused to be discouraged and continued to chase excellence.

Their victory propels them to the final, and their effortless display against SRH suggests they are well-prepared to claim their third IPL trophy. The KKR motto, "KKR Hai Taiyar" (KKR is Ready), truly rings true as they set their sights on their third championship glory.