KKR vs SRH: Three reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders will beat Sunrisers Hyderabad to win IPL 2024 final

KKR vs SRH: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will go against each other in the IPL 2024 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26.

The two teams had finished the league stage of the IPL 2024 as the top two teams. Kolkata lost just three matches and finished as the number one ranked team with 20 points, while Hyderabad collected 17 points to finish in second position.

After playing some exceptional cricket throughout the tournament, KKR and SRH would be against each other for the third time this season. KKR qualified for the final directly after winning Qualifier 1. SRH took the harder route to qualify for the mega final by beating Rajasthan in the Qualifier 2.

KKR vs SRH: Three reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders will win IPL 2024 title by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad

Momentum and psychological advantage: Having won each of their last five games the momentum truly is on KKR's side. In fact, they have lost just three games so far this season. Kolkata have defeated Hyderabad in both their previous encounters this season.

The two teams clashed against each other in the Qualifier 1 as KKR emerged triumphant by eight wickets. SRH managed to score just 159 runs in 19.3 overs as KKR chased down the target in 13.4 overs only. Batting conditions will very likely be more difficult in Chennai.

Also, KKR have a nice memory of beating their maiden IPL title back in 2012. A Gautam Gambhir-led KKR had toppled Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final by chasing down 191 with five wickets and two balls remaining.

Good mix of right-hand left-hand batters: Sunrisers Hyderabad deployed Shahbaz Ahmed as the impact substitute in the Qualifier 2, and the left-arm spinner returned with figures of 3/23 in four overs. The spell changed the complexion of the game.

Too many right-hand batters in the Rajasthan Royals middle-order further helped the left-arm spinner. However, that will not be the case against Shreyas Iyer-led KKR, who have solid and experienced middle-order left-hand batters in Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. All these players are very handy players of spin bowling.

Also, KKR bat really drop. The likes of Rinku, Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh come to bat lower down the order (6, 7 and 8).

Excellent spin attack and potent pace unit: KKR spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine are a lethal duo. They will be KKR's trump card at the venue. The duo were highly economical at the venue against CSK earlier this season. The batters of the home team could collect just 56 runs from their eight overs.

SRH batters could find it even more difficult to deal with the duo. KKR also have a left-arm spin option in Anukul Roy. Pacers Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora and Harshal Patel have also done well.