NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders delivered a masterclass in bowling, restricting Sunrisers Hyderabad to a mere 113 runs to pave the way for an emphatic eight-wicket triumph on Sunday, securing their third Indian Premier League title.
Australian speedster Mitchell Starc led the charge, unsettling Sunrisers Hyderabad's top-order with figures of 2-14, while every KKR bowler contributed to the onslaught, culminating in the most aggressive batting team of the season being dismissed for the lowest-ever total in IPL finals history.
In reply, Venkatesh Iyer showcased his firepower with a blistering unbeaten 52 off just 26 balls, guiding KKR to victory at 114-2 in only 10.3 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributing 39 runs from 32 balls.
Following the win, KKR captain
Shreyas Iyer
expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support.
Iyer also won hearts by personally acknowledging the cheerleaders and thanking them.
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KKR, previously crowned champions in 2012 and 2014, dominated the IPL season by finishing atop the league stage with nine wins from 14 matches.
After the title win, captain Shreyas Iyer hailed his team's performance, describing them as "invincibles" throughout the season.
"Absolutely comprehensive (the win). We played like invincibles throughout the season. There's so much to cherish right now. This is what we demanded from the team and every individual," Shreyas said during the post-match presentation.
"They stood up to the right occasion and the feeling is hard to express. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout. I am running out of words right now," he added.
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