Sunrisers Hyderabad were comfortably defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders Sunil Narine in the final match as they went on to win by 8 wickets and thus capture their third Indian premier league title. This was their initial title after two years of previous triumph in 2014 and first ever success back in 2012.
KKR’s successful campaigns in the IPL have been characterized by the presence of two key men on whom the team relied: Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine. Gambhir, who led KKR during seasons 2012 and 2014, was an instrumental figure towards guiding them to victory; at the same time, Narine has played a very significant part as a team player.
Both players are still strongly associated with this franchise a decade later. On one hand Gambhir returned to KKR leading to revival of fortunes for the team while again, Narine’s extraordinary displays this season have made him become one of those few game changers on field there are today.
After claiming victory at Chepauk, KKR’s dynamic duo lifted each other up as peals of laughter spread across the ground. A gesture which showed how tightly knit and united this group is within themselves highlighting that none could have been achieved without these collective efforts.
When asked about the game SRH captain Pat Cummins regretted his decision to bat first after being skittled out for 113 runs in just 18.3 overs.
The top bowler who took three wickets for just nineteen runs against Kolkata was Andre Russell at MA Chidambaram Stadium where only one side had a good showing throughout.
Venkatesh Iyer hit unbeaten half century off twenty six balls as Kolkata chased down the target in just ten point three overs.
Kolkata finished atop Group Stage beating Hyderabad in First Playoff on Tuesday.