Sports Desk
26 May
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In an exhilarating final match held at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third IPL trophy by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets. KKR’s victory marks their first title in a decade, with previous wins in 2012 and 2014 under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy. This year, Shreyas Iyer led the team to victory, showcasing remarkable leadership.
The match began with Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins winning the toss and electing to bat first. This decision backfired as Hyderabad struggled from the outset. Continuous setbacks saw the team bowled out for a mere 113 runs in 18.3 overs, the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL final. Captain Cummins top-scored for his side with 24 runs, batting at number eight.
KKR’s chase was aggressive from the start. Sunil Narine set the tone by hitting a six off Cummins on the first ball of the innings. This aggressive approach was maintained throughout, with Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz driving the team towards victory. KKR reached the target in just 11 overs, sealing a comprehensive win.
Venkatesh Iyer was the standout performer for Kolkata, scoring a blistering 52 off 26 balls, including 4 fours and 1 six. His explosive batting provided the momentum needed to secure the win. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also contributed significantly, scoring 39 runs off 32 balls, ensuring there were no hiccups in the chase.
The triumph highlights the depth and resilience of KKR’s squad, managed astutely by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Shreyas Iyer. This victory is a testament to the team’s hard work and strategic planning throughout the season.
Fans celebrated KKR’s victory with great enthusiasm, marking a historic day for the franchise. As the cricketing world applauds this achievement, KKR looks ahead to maintaining their winning streak in future seasons.