New Delhi: In a stunning turn of events, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) cricket team suffered a dramatic collapse against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The SRH team, known for its explosive batting, unexpectedly crumbled, setting a low target of 113 runs for KKR.
The match took place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and it was a high-stakes encounter. SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the team’s batting lineup faltered early in the innings. Mitchell Starc, the KKR pacer, struck in the very first over, sending shockwaves through the SRH camp. Vaibhav Arora also chipped in with a wicket in his opening over.
Despite the early setbacks, Cummins played a valiant innings, scoring 24 runs. But the rest of the SRH batsmen struggled to find their rhythm. Andre Russell, the KKR all-rounder, wreaked havoc by taking three crucial wickets. As a result, SRH was bowled out for a meager 113 runs in 18.3 overs.
KKR’s chase was clinical. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone with a brisk 39 runs off 32 balls. Skipper Shreyas Iyer contributed significantly with a blistering half-century, scoring 52 runs off just 26 balls. KKR reached the target comfortably in just 10.3 overs, winning the match by eight wickets. Mitchell Starc, who took two wickets and held two catches, was named the Player of the Match.
The SRH franchise owner, Kavya Maran, watched in dismay as her team’s fortunes unraveled. Disappointment etched on her face, she left her seat before the match concluded. However, after the game, she visited the dressing room and encouraged the players. In a heartfelt message, she praised their overall performance during the tournament, emphasizing that they had redefined T20 cricket.
“Today was not our day,” Kavya said. “But remember, people will still talk about the brand of cricket we played. Be proud of yourselves.”
KKR’s victory marked their third IPL title, the first since 2014 when they defeated Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The thrilling final left fans buzzing, and despite the loss, SRH’s journey was celebrated for its exciting brand of cricket. Kavya Maran’s words resonated with the team, reminding them that their efforts had left an indelible mark on the tournament.
