KKR outplayed SRH in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024. Openers Iyer and Iyer shine with fifties as KKR cruise into the finals.
SRH Falter with the Bat
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, things went downhill for SRH straightaway. Mitchell Starc's fiery opening spell rattled the top order, leaving them reeling at 3 down early on. While Rahul Tripathi (42) and Heinrich Klaasen (38) offered some resistance with a brief partnership, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Pat Cummins' (30) cameo late in the innings helped SRH reach a below-par total of 159 all out.
KKR Openers Take Charge
KKR's chase began with a bang as Venkatesh Iyer (78*) and Shreyas Iyer (55*) stitched together a match-winning opening partnership of 120 runs. Both openers looked in sublime touch, finding the boundary with ease and punishing any loose deliveries. The required run rate remained under control throughout, and KKR finished the chase in just 13.4 overs, with Nitish Rana (18*) hitting the winning runs.
KKR's Clinical Performance
This comprehensive victory showcased KKR's dominance throughout the tournament. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Starc (3/34) and Pat Cummins (2/20), displayed exceptional control and discipline. The openers, on the other hand, batted with maturity and took the game away from SRH early on. Shreyas Iyer's leadership shines through as KKR marches into their fourth IPL final.
Looking Ahead
With this win, KKR awaits the winner of Qualifier 2 for the grand finale. For SRH, the dream of lifting the IPL trophy continues. They will have to regroup quickly and focus on winning Qualifier 2 to earn another shot at the title. The IPL 2024 playoffs promise to be an exciting affair, and cricket fans eagerly wait to see who will be crowned champions.
