Cricket

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins admitted that his team was "totally outplayed" by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final of IPL 2024. SRH suffered an eight-wicket defeat, with 57 balls remaining, largely due to Mitchell Starc's devastating new-ball spell.Starc's swing bowling accounted for the dismissals of SRH's dangerous openers, Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi. "They bowled fantastically," Cummins said at the post-match presentation. "Unfortunately, [my] old mate Starcy turned it on again. Obviously, not enough tonight, [we were] totally outplayed."SRH never recovered from Starc's early onslaught and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 113. Their longest partnership was for the ninth wicket, lasting just 22 balls. "It was a bit of a tricky wicket," Cummins said. "I think if we got 160, it would have been like we were in the game. [It] didn't feel like a 200-plus wicket, again well short. But maybe [if] we found a few extra runs [it] might've given us a chance."Despite the disappointing result in the final, Cummins praised his team's aggressive batting approach throughout the season. Openers Abhishek and Travis Head played a key role in making IPL 2024 a high-scoring season. "The style that the guys played," Cummins said, "particularly with the bat, takes a lot of skill to not only get 250, [but] also [to do it] three times. You put yourself out there a fair bit. So I loved how brave the guys were in a high-pressure situation like the IPL. They took the game on, there was a lot of fun. Fans seemed to like it, back in Hyderabad. So, great season."

Ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), skippers Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins engaged in a lighthearted banter that left both players in stitches.During a photoshoot for the IPL trophy, which included a visit to Chennai's Marina Beach and an auto ride, Iyer reminisced about his childhood days of riding autorickshaws. With a playful grin, he charged Cummins a hefty Rs 20 crore for the ride, a humorous reference to the Rs 20.5 crore price tag that SRH had paid for the Australian all-rounder in the IPL 2024 auction.Iyer also took a moment to ask Cummins about his experience as part of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2014. Cummins, who was a member of that victorious squad, shared his fond memories of the tournament.The banter between the two skippers highlighted the camaraderie and friendly rivalry that exists within the IPL. Both KKR and SRH have had impressive seasons, with KKR topping the points table at the end of the league stage and SRH overcoming setbacks to reach the final.The IPL 2024 final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. KKR will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet, while SRH will be determined to claim their second IPL title. The match will be played at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26th.

KKR Secures Direct Final Berth with Qualifier 1 Victory over SRHKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have stormed into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final with a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1. The triumph marks a remarkable achievement for KKR, who topped the league stage with an impressive record of nine wins, three losses, and two no results.KKR's dominance throughout the tournament was evident in their clinical performance against SRH. Batting first, they posted a formidable total of 187/6, thanks to a blistering half-century from Andre Russell (54 off 22 balls). The SRH bowlers struggled to contain Russell's onslaught, as he smashed four sixes and three fours in his whirlwind knock.In response, SRH's chase faltered from the outset. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were never able to build any momentum. Aiden Markram (32) and Nicholas Pooran (34) offered some resistance, but KKR's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game.Sunil Narine was the pick of the KKR bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 22 runs in his four overs. Umesh Yadav and Andre Russell also chipped in with two wickets each, as SRH were restricted to 123/8 in their allotted 20 overs.KKR's victory was a testament to their all-round strength. Their batting lineup has been firing on all cylinders throughout the tournament, with Russell, Nitish Rana, and Shreyas Iyer leading the charge. Their bowling attack has also been impressive, with Narine, Yadav, and Russell forming a formidable trio.With their direct entry into the final, KKR will have a chance to lift their third IPL title. They will face the winner of Qualifier 2 between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Shah Rukh Khan Recovers from Heat Stroke, Departs for IPL Final in ChennaiBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has made a swift recovery from a heat stroke and was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Sunday, departing for Chennai with his family. The actor, who is a co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricket team, is set to attend the IPL final between KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk Stadium.Khan, who has been a regular presence at cricket grounds this season, has been passionately supporting his team. His energetic presence, whether cheering from the stands or engaging with players from both teams, has made him a standout co-owner. His support during KKR's Qualifier 1 match against SRH significantly boosted the morale of the "men in purple."Earlier, Khan had to be hospitalized due to a heat stroke caused by the severe heatwave in Ahmedabad. Fortunately, he was discharged a few hours later. Although Khan has not publicly addressed the incident, his manager Pooja Dadlani provided an update on Instagram, expressing gratitude on his behalf."To all of Mr Khan's fans and well-wishers - he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers, and concern," Dadlani captioned her post.Khan's KKR business partners Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta visited him at the Ahmedabad hospital, ensuring that he received the best care and support.As the Khan family arrives in Chennai, their presence is expected to further invigorate the KKR team ahead of the highly anticipated IPL final. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams, and Khan's support will undoubtedly be a major boost for KKR.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has advised Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to stick to their batting-first strategy in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. Raina believes that SRH's captain, Pat Cummins, will play a crucial role in the match due to his recent success in winning the ODI World Cup.Raina emphasized the importance of SRH's batting lineup putting up a strong total on the board. He also highlighted the significance of the eight overs of spin bowling that SRH will have at their disposal. Raina believes that KKR's experience of winning an IPL title in Chennai will add pressure to the SRH team.However, Raina pointed out that Cummins' leadership skills and experience in winning major tournaments will be invaluable for SRH. He believes that Cummins' ability to keep the dressing room focused and organized will be key to the team's success.KKR finished the league stage at the top of the points table, earning a direct spot in the final after defeating SRH in the qualifier one. SRH, on the other hand, secured their place in the final by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the qualifier two.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final is set to witness a thrilling clash between two formidable teams: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Both teams have a rich history in the tournament and will be vying for their third and second IPL titles, respectively.KKR's Title Triumphs:KKR has emerged victorious in two previous IPL editions, both under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. In 2012, they defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 5 wickets in Chennai, while in 2014, they overcame Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) by 3 wickets in Bengaluru.SRH's Title Victories:SRH has also tasted IPL glory, winning the title in 2016 under the captaincy of David Warner. They defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8 runs in Bengaluru. As Deccan Chargers, the Hyderabad-based franchise had previously won the title in 2009, beating RCB by 6 runs in Johannesburg under Adam Gilchrist's leadership.Captains' Records:Shreyas Iyer has led KKR to an impressive season, winning 10 out of 14 matches with a winning percentage of 76.92. Pat Cummins, on the other hand, has guided SRH to 9 victories and 6 defeats from 15 matches, with a winning percentage of 60.Top Performers:Sunil Narine has been a standout performer for KKR with the bat, amassing 482 runs from 14 matches, including a century and 3 fifties. Varun Chakaravarthy has been equally impressive with the ball, claiming 20 wickets.For SRH, Travis Head has been the leading run-scorer with 567 runs, including a century and four half-centuries. Thangarasu Natarajan has been the most successful bowler, taking 19 wickets.KKR's Advantage:KKR holds a slight advantage over SRH, having defeated them twice this season. They won by 4 runs in their first encounter and by 8 wickets in Qualifier 1. Mitchell Starc, KKR's most expensive player, has also had the upper hand against Head in Australian domestic cricket.Conclusion:The IPL 2024 final promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. KKR's recent dominance and SRH's title-winning experience make this a highly anticipated clash. The outcome will hinge on the performances of key players and the tactical acumen of the captains.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Final is set to witness a thrilling clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams will be vying for the coveted IPL trophy on Sunday, with the match scheduled to commence at 07:30 PM IST.The MA Chidambaram Stadium has been a challenging battleground for both KKR and SRH, with both teams struggling to adapt to the pitch conditions. SRH have managed only two wins in 11 matches at this venue, while KKR have secured four wins in 14 matches.Analyzing the average scores at the MA Chidambaram Stadium reveals that SRH have an average score of 155 runs in T20 matches, while KKR have a slightly better average of 156 runs. However, both teams have faced difficulties on the slow and turning track of Chennai.SRH's highest score at this venue came in 2021 when they scored 177/5 against KKR, but they lost the match by 10 runs. KKR, on the other hand, achieved their highest total of 202/6 against Chennai Super Kings in 2018, but they also ended up on the losing side.The lowest scores at the MA Chidambaram Stadium also reflect the challenges both teams have faced. SRH recorded their lowest total of 134/10 against Chennai Super Kings in 2024, while KKR's lowest score was 142/9 against the same team in 2019.Despite their struggles at this venue, both KKR and SRH will be determined to overcome their past performances and secure the IPL title. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to rewrite their records and advance to another IPL title win.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where the spotlight often shines on the big Indian names and international stars who command hefty salaries. However, the true foundation of a team's success lies in its Indian domestic core. These players, some still finding their footing in the big leagues and others on the fringes of national team selection, can make or break a campaign.Opponents often target these so-called weak links, but many youngsters rise to the challenge and play a crucial role in their teams' progress to the latter stages of the tournament. It is no surprise, then, that the two finalists of the IPL 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), have been blessed with some fine performances from their domestic cricketers.KKR's pacers Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora have been revelations, while Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy's heroics with the bat have been instrumental in SRH's success. "It's been huge. Some youngsters have come through and won us games on their own. Nitish and Abhishek are probably the two biggest examples of guys who are kind of away from the Indian setup but have been fantastic," said SRH captain Pat Cummins."I feel like that's been the story of our team. A lot of guys are taking the game on, putting themselves out there, and having breakout seasons," added the Australian.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer also spoke about how the domestic players have been proactive and have played with freedom. "When these guys come in, the youngsters, especially, are fearless in their approach, and their attitude is headstrong. A lot of them are versatile and enterprising in their approach and proactive," said Shreyas."They want to go out there and perform. So, it's just that when you give them that sort of freedom and back them during tough times, they deliver the best. And when these guys step up at the right time, they see that they win matches for you," he explained.The contributions of these domestic players highlight the importance of investing in grassroots cricket and providing opportunities for young talent to develop. By nurturing their domestic core, teams can build a solid foundation for long-term success in the IPL and beyond.

Toss Significance in IPL 2024 Final: Mindset and Confidence Key, Says Kevin PietersenThe toss plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of cricket matches, but former England star Kevin Pietersen believes that mindset and confidence are paramount in the upcoming IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).Pietersen acknowledges that winning the toss can provide an advantage, but emphasizes that it is the team's mental preparedness and self-assurance that will ultimately shape their performance in the championship game. He highlights KKR's positive mindset as a key factor that will give them an edge over SRH."The toss is 50-50. I actually think that you have to consider the possibility of dew and also be prepared if it doesn't come. It's all about the mindset and confidence coming into this fixture," Pietersen said.He further adds, "That's where I think KKR have an advantage, given the way they've played, their convincing win in qualifier one, and their preparation over the last three or four days."Pietersen expresses disappointment with SRH's performance in their previous match, stating that their lack of fight could put them at a disadvantage in the final."I didn't like the way the Sunrisers threw in the towel the other evening in Ahmedabad, and I think it's going to put them on the back foot for the start on Sunday," Pietersen said.However, he acknowledges that SRH's recent success in the SA20 tournament demonstrates their ability to win under pressure."They've got a structure that knows how to win, and when you've got that belief within the franchise, that belief within the ownership, then momentum has its own way," Pietersen said.Ultimately, Pietersen believes that the team with the stronger mindset and confidence will emerge victorious in the IPL 2024 final.