In a momentous culmination to the IPL 2024 season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious, clinching the championship with an emphatic eight-wicket win over the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, May 26. As the final unfolded, former West Indies pacer and renowned commentator Ian Bishop heaped praise on KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, highlighting his pivotal role in the team’s success.
Bishop did not hold back his admiration for Iyer during the live broadcast of the IPL final. He acknowledged the profound influence of KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir on the team’s culture but emphasized that Iyer’s contributions as captain deserved significant recognition.
“I am hearing a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who has created a magnificent culture with the team. But this guy (Shreyas), I don’t think he gets near as much credit. I said it all season and they came after me on social media. I think these two (Gambhir and coach Chandrakant Pandit) and Shreyas Iyer deserve some credit,” Bishop remarked during the match.
Shreyas Iyer’s leadership has been a cornerstone of KKR’s triumphant campaign. Under his captaincy, the team displayed remarkable consistency. Iyer also had an impactful season with the bat, amassing 351 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 146.86, including two half-centuries. His ability to lead from the front and his tactical acumen on the field played a crucial role in steering KKR to their third IPL title.
The final itself was a showcase of KKR’s dominance, particularly their bowling prowess. Despite SRH being renowned for their explosive batting capabilities and holding the record for the highest IPL total of 287/3 this season, they were restricted to a modest 113 in the final. KKR’s all-round bowling performance dismantled the Sunrisers’ batting lineup, setting the stage for a straightforward chase.
Mitchell Starc set the tone with a fiery opening spell, conceding just 14 runs in his three overs while claiming two crucial wickets. Vaibhav Arora followed suit, delivering a vital blow by dismissing Travis Head for a golden duck. Harshit Rana’s strategic variations in the middle overs yielded two wickets, further stifling the SRH batting.
The standout performer was Andre Russell, who delivered a match-winning spell with figures of 3/19. The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy also played a key role, conceding a combined total of just 25 runs in their six overs while picking up two wickets. This comprehensive bowling effort underscored KKR’s strength and depth in their bowling attack.
Reflecting on the season, Ian Bishop also highlighted the consistency of KKR’s batting unit. “SunRisers have been the most spectacular (batting team), but the most consistent batting team have been KKR. Not to mention their bowling. I think that is understated,” he explained.
As KKR celebrated their title win, Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy emerged as a focal point of discussion. His ability to marshal his troops effectively, combined with the strategic inputs from Gautam Gambhir and coach Chandrakant Pandit, created a winning formula that saw KKR dominate the tournament.
