Excitement is building ahead of the IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The match will be played on Sunday, May 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer has even offered some insights into the pitch, revealing it will be a red soil surface. This information could be crucial for both teams as they finalise their strategies. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both KKR and SRH have showcased impressive form throughout the tournament. In their previous meeting during Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, KKR dominated SRH with a convincing 8-wicket victory. Their strong performance in both batting and bowling suggests they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the final.
But Unlike the surface in Ahmedabad, Chennai's Chepauk pitch is known to favor spinners. This could lead to a lower-scoring game compared to the high-scoring matches typically seen in Ahmedabad.
It's a different pitch: Shreyas Iyer
For SRH, their recent victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, also played at Chepauk, might boost their confidence. However, they can't rely solely on that win. The final will be played on the same pitch used for the Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings match, which was known for its spin-friendly nature. This could pose a challenge for both teams as they adjust their strategies to the unique conditions of the Chepauk pitch.
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the significant change in playing surface for the final. He pointed out the difference between the pitch used in Qualifier 2 and the upcoming final in Chennai. With a hint of competitive spirit, Iyer added that he hopes any decisions he or his counterpart, SRH skipper Pat Cummins, make will ultimately benefit his side.
"It is a different pitch..going to be a red soil pitch. Not like the one on Qualifier II. Whatever decision we take, or Cummins takes, hopefully, goes in our favour," Shreyas said in the pre-match press conference.
Gautam Gambhir has significantly transformed the Kolkata Knight Riders' trajectory in IPL 2024. Serving as the team's mentor, he has propelled them to the tournament's final, building on his previous successes where he led the team to two championships as captain. He is eager to add a victory as a mentor to his accolades.
Shreyas Iyer commented on Gautam Gambhir's involvement, praising the mentor's profound understanding of the game and the effectiveness of his strategies. He further said:
"Gautam bhai has immense knowledge about the T20 game & his strategies have been spot on," he added.
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