NEW DELHI: Mitchell Starc delivered three decisive blows, propelling Kolkata Knight Riders into the IPL final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a scorching Ahmedabad.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the two-time champions, showcased their prowess by dismissing Hyderabad for 159 runs, with Starc leading the charge with impressive figures of 3-34 in the first playoff, qualifier 1, held at the grand stage of the world's largest cricket stadium.
After KKR entered the final, the team's mentor
Gautam Gambhir
took to his social media and wrote: "Need a purple wave on May 26! Come on KKR fam!."
Sunrisers Hyderabad will get another opportunity to secure a spot in the final as they go head-to-head with the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 this Friday in Chennai.
Starc, a left-arm pace bowler, once again proved his worth after being the highest-priced player in IPL history during the December auction, when KKR acquired him for Rs. 24.75 crore.
Venkatesh Iyer, scoring 51 not out, and captain Shreyas Iyer, on 58 not out, steered KKR to victory with 38 balls to spare in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan Royals will clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator at the same venue on Wednesday.
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