NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders clinched their third Indian Premier League title by comfortably defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final match, winning by eight wickets. The victory marked their first title since their previous triumph in 2014, with their inaugural IPL success coming back in 2012.
KKR's triumphant campaigns in the IPL have been marked by the consistent presence of two key figures:
Gautam Gambhir
and
Sunil Narine
.
Gambhir's leadership during the 2012 and 2014 seasons was instrumental in guiding KKR to victory, while Narine's contributions as a vital team member cannot be overstated.
A decade after their initial success, both players remain closely tied to the franchise. Gambhir's comeback to KKR coincided with a resurgence of the team's fortunes, and Narine's exceptional performances this season have solidified his status as a genuine game-changer on the field.
After KKR sealed the victory at Chepauk, the victorious duo hoisted each other up, their laughter ringing out across the field. The gesture served as a testament to the strong bond and unity within the team, highlighting the importance of their collective efforts in securing the win.
Talking about the match, SRH captain Pat Cummins was left to rue his decision to bat first as his side got skittled out for 113 runs in 18.3 overs.
Andre Russell was the pick of the Kolkata bowlers, claiming 3-19 in the one-sided contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
His team returned to chase down the target in 10.3 overs with Venkatesh Iyer leading their charge with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls.
Kolkata topped the group stage of the IPL and had beaten Hyderabad in the first playoff on Tuesday.
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