IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: Mitchell Starc destroys SRH, as KKR cruises into the fourth final

INTRO

• IPL 2024 finalist KKR defeated SRH by 8 wickets.
• KKR has advanced to the IPL final for the fourth time. 
• SRH will take on the winner of the eliminator to have another opportunity to advance to the final.

Table-toppers KKR defeated in-form SRH by 8 wickets in Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday to advance to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final thanks to Mitchell Starc's outstanding bowling performance. On Friday, in Qualifier 2, SRH will have another opportunity to advance to the championship match when they play the victor of the Eliminator between RR and RCB. The Knight Riders have advanced to an IPL final four times. Hyderabad was completely destroyed by Starc's powerplay mastery, and Venkatesh and Shreyas Iyer of Kolkata struck outstanding fifties to quickly reach the 160-run mark in just 13.4 overs.

The two-time winners placed seventh in the points table last summer, but this season they have recovered spectacularly thanks to the return of Gautam Gambhir as coach. With 20 points from 14 games, KKR emerged victorious in the points table, largely due to the outstanding all-around performance of Sunil Narine, exceptional batting from Phil Salt, and the untested Indian pacers. Hyderabad was dealt a cruel blow by Kolkata, who demonstrated their supremacy and left Hyderabad looking helpless as a result of tasting the harsh medication.

SRH vs KKR, IPL Qualifier 1: Updates | Scorecard

On a field that was ideal for batting, Kolkata needed to get off to a fast start in the Powerplay in order to take the lead, which they did. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, filling in for Phil Salt, had an explosive cameo that established the tone for the innings. Sunil Narine wasn't playing at his most fluent level, but he kept the scoreboard moving. After that, Shreyas and Venkatesh, the Iyers, grabbed over and smashed the ball into every inch of the ground. This season, Venkatesh Iyer has been a stellar performer, always filling in for the starting pair when necessary. Approaching the final with a hopeful attitude, Shreyas Iyer played maybe his greatest knock of the tournament, posing a serious threat to opposing teams.

In just 24 deliveries, Shreyas struck 58 runs, including three sixes and a four against Travis Head, to put his team ahead. The game was decided in the 14th over of KKR's innings, which was when Shreyas Iyer unleashed his devastating power hitting. Head hit a fuller delivery on the middle stump with the opening ball, which was lofted over deep mid-wicket and into the bleachers. The second delivery was blasted disrespectfully in the direction of a boundary. With a massive six over deep mid-wicket on the third ball, and another tossed-up delivery, Shreyas Iyer reached his fifty. With a decisive six-over long-on to end the match, he did it in style and sent KKR into the championship match.

After a superb performance, Kolkata may now rest for a day or two and concentrate on the Grand Finale.

Stark's magic in Ahmedabad

Mitchell Starc's incredible three-wicket haul helped KKR beat SRH for just 159 runs in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, the most expensive buy in the IPL. On the second ball of the game, Starc dismissed Travis Head, uprooted his stumps and dismissed in-form Nitish Reddy (9) and Shahbaz Ahmed (0), giving SRH a blow. This was an initial blow to the opposition. After a wild blow against Starc, who managed to take the ball slightly away after hitting it on off and middle stump, Travis Head, the third-highest run-scorer in the IPL, was out for the second time in a row.

After that, Starc dismissed Reddy, and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a simple catch. The next to go was Shahbaz, who attempted to direct the ball to the third man but instead chopped it onto his stumps. After Starc's opening spell of 3-0-22-3, KKR had total control, and the other bowlers could take advantage.

SRH required a counterattack after being reduced to 39/3, and Rahul Tripathi (55 off 35) provided it. Apart from a 62-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen for the fifth wicket, Rahul, however, did not receive enough support. Before getting out of the 11th over by Varun Chakravarthy, Klaasen, who had hit a crucial 49 in the last game, made 32 off 21 balls, which included three fours and a six. After Andre Russell made a fantastic fielding play and caught Tripathi halfway down the pitch, SRH's troubles in rebuilding the team continued. On his opening ball, Abdul Samad struck a six, but he was unable to hold on. On the first delivery of his innings, Sunil Narine (1/40) bowled impact player Sanvir Singh. 

To take SRH past 150, South Indian team captain Pat Cummins scored 30 runs in 24 balls and made a crucial partnership of 33 runs with Vijaykant Vyaskanth for the last wicket. KKR were clearly in control of the game as SRH failed to win despite their best efforts.