Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 21 outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in all departments of the game and reached the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final with an eight-wicket win. Skipper Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten half-century in the run chase at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad to take his side home in the 14th over.
Shreyas joined list of legendary IPL captains with an unbeaten 24-ball 58. He became the fourth captain to score two half-centuries in IPL playoffs. Others on the list are Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) MS Dhoni, Mumbai Indians' (MI) Rohit Sharma and Delhi Capitals' (DC) David Warner.
The 29-year-old will have a chance to break the record in the IPL 2024 final on May 26 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
He shared an unbeaten 97-run partnership with Venkatesh Iyer. This is the second-highest partnership for KKR in playoffs. His 58-run knock was laced with five fours and four sixes.
The title-winning coincidence
Since IPL 2018, the team winning the Qualifier 1 has went on to win the IPL Trophy. The coincidence will give KKR’s confidence a major boost.
Shreyas in awe of his team’s performance
Shreyas was impressed with the team’s performance, especially the bowlers as SRH never looked like they were in the game.
“Elated by the performance, the responsibility was important, we stood up for each other, extremely happy with the performances. The rejuvenation was important for us. When you travel so much. It's important to stay in the present. Today was the day we had to maximise, we did it and that's what we thrive on. I think the way every bowler stood up to this occasion, the way they came in and took wickets, that was imperative. The attitude and approach of all bowlers was to take wickets and they did. When you have a variety in the bowling line-up, it's mesmerizing, he said in the post-match presentation.
He lauded Rahmanullah Gurbaz for filling in Phil Salt’s shoes as well.
“It was Gurbaz's first game and he gave an impactful start. We had to make sure we carry forward the same run rate,” he added.
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