IPL Final Preview: An in-form KKR stand between SRH and Pat Cummins from winning the IPL 2024 title in Chennai. Can Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir conclude their dream run with the third title win for the franchise?
The Indian Premier League 2024 has reached its final stop. After 73 matches, multiple thrilling games and a record number of sixes, SRH and KKR have deservedly put their names in the final of the tournament. KKR, guided by mentor Gautam Gambhir, have been head and shoulders above the rest of the teams, so much so that, they not only finished the group-stage at the top of the table, but also beat SRH with ease in the Qualifier 1 to book their place in the final of the tournament. SRH on the other hand, blew hot and cold in parts, but put in a resilient show in the knockouts against RR to set up the final vs KKR.
SRH, who have found themselves at the bottom half of the table in the last three seasons of the tournament were completely changed by the duo of Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori, who are spending their first season together in the tournament. Cummins’ rub of green has helped SRH grab some magnificent victories this season to the point that teams have looked worried while playing against the Hyderabad-based side.
THE PAT CUMMINS EFFECT
Cummins won the WTC Final and ODI World Cup Final in 2023 and seems to have imported the Australian winning mentality. Speaking to Sports Tak ahead of the final, Cummins explained, what made his Australian team very difficult to beat in the final of any tournament.
“You cannot discount the factor of luck in winning an ICC title. We spend a lot of time balancing between de-pressurising a final, but at the same time kind of acknowledging that you are going to spend a long time in your life looking back and make sure you play the way you wanted to play. We have had a bit of success taking the confidence of a final into the next one,” Cummins told Sports Tak.
At their best, SRH have forced the opposition side to bowl against them with one single aim – restrict the flow of runs. In the match vs RCB where SRH scored 287, the Bengaluru side went into a shell and set up defensive fields against them. And as well all came to know, it did not work.
At their worst, SRH have imploded with bat and ball, failing to put up competitive targets. The team management and the captain have been bullish about that too, stating that they know about the risks that come with their approach, but they are going to stick to the same.
THE GAMBHIR REVOLUTION
KKR on the other hand have been the most balanced side in the IPL 2024. They have a cracker batting unit, fearsome and wily pacers and two spinners who can turn the game on the head.
On their best day, KKR are unbeatable. At their worst, KKR have the ability to drag the game to the final over. Gambhir’s approach on and off the field combined with some motivation from Shah Rukh Khan himself have brought back the glory days of KKR, and who knows, they might just lift their third title in Chennai on Sunday.