The Driven Bunch From Bengal
The hot and humid Sunday evening at the Chepauk belonged to the Purple and Golden Brigade from the East as the rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders annihilated Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the IPL 2024. The Orange Army from the neighbourhood, who had shown so much spunk and bravado right through the season, appeared clueless in front of a seemingly invincible and extremely driven bunch from Bengal. In the end it was a win on a canter for KKR, their third IPL Title.
Mitch Starc & His Delivery of the Tournament
Mitch Starc, the most expensive player in IPL history, coming at a whopping 24.75 crs, showed why he was showered with so much coin by KKR. The ball which he produced to knock over Abhishek Sharma will go down as ‘ the ball of the tournament ‘ without any arguments. A ripper of a delivery, pitched on middle stump, moved away, squared up Abhishek Sharma and hit the top of the off stump in the blink of an eye. Starc had got all the variables in control this time. The length, the precise seam movement and blistering pace left no chance for Abhishek Sharma. He couldn’t do much either. It happened so very quickly. Trust me, the ball not only rattled Abhishek’s stumps, but rattled the confidence in the whole SRH camp. Starc, a big match player, proved his credentials yet again ( he had knocked over Travis Head in the 1st Qualifier in Ahmedabad ).
KKR : The Runaway Champions
With a body blow dealt early, the much decorated SRH batting line-up wilted under some exquisite KKR Bowling and eventually folded for a paltry 113. It was a no contest thereafter, as KKR completed the formalities in 10 overs and deservedly became Champions. They had emerged victorious in a hard fought, gruelling campaign over a two month period.
KKR’s Bowling : The Defining Edge
Much before Mitch Starc struck form, Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana shouldered Quick Bowling responsibilities with distinction. They bowled their hearts out, ensured breakthroughs and bowled extremely well at the back end too. Andre Russel, continued taking wickets when it mattered, Sunil Narine was stingy with the ball and Varun Chakravarthy had a tournament to remember. He scalped wickets at will, spinning a web around batters. He could hardly be scored off. This bowling contingent from KKR was the backbone of their campaign which held its posture right down till the end. Narine and Phil Salt’s brilliant strokeplay and Venkatesh Iyer’s belligerence was critical to KKR’s success too. A resurgent, purposeful and loaded with intent, KKR were the team of the tournament and rightfully won it.
SRH : The Carefree Entertainers
SRH were undone due to their over dependence on Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klassen. With due respect to Aidan Markram, SRH, unfortunately had no one who could steer them to safety incase the trio failed. This imbalance cost them the final. Their bowling too was never incisive in the entire tournament. However, it has to be said, when going strong, SRH were the most entertaining side in the IPL. They showed glimpses of how the T20 game will unfold in the future. Scoring 287 runs in one innings was a mighty display from the Orange Army. The stroke making was exceptional. It was clean and classical laced with power and finesse. The Travis Head – Abhishek Sharma partnership was in my opinion the highlight of the tournament.
KKR Scale Up the IPL Leaderboard
KKR with this victory became the third most successful team in the history of IPL, behind MI and CSK, whereas RCB, DC, Punjab Kings and LSG had another year devoid of silverware. With the Mega Auction lined up in 2025, we may witness a major shakeup in Team compositions and of course new benchmark buyings.
The World Cup T20 begins shortly. The Indian Team has reached the American Shores to have another crack at a World Title.
Let’s hope the ‘Men in Blue’ hit a ‘Purple Patch’.
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Featured Image : SRK with victorious KKR Team/ pic courtesy DNA
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