NEW DELHI: In a spectacular display of dominance, Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a one-sided final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer lauded his team's season-long invincibility, highlighting their comprehensive performance throughout the tournament.
"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," Iyer said during the post-match presentation.
The final saw KKR's bowlers shine, with Mitchell Starc's early breakthroughs and Andre Russell's three-wicket burst dismantling SRH's batting lineup. Starc's two crucial wickets in the Powerplay stifled SRH's momentum, setting the stage for KKR's dominance.
"That's when all the big players stand up, right! It was a high-pressure game and he's been so good off the field. He's never shown any complacency in his work ethics. He stepped up to the right occasion," Iyer remarked about Starc's performance.
Russell's magic with the ball further cemented KKR's control, earning high praise from his captain. "He's got that magic wand. He's looking forward to pick wickets. All the guys stepped up at the right time and that's made it easier. It has been a flawless season," Iyer added.
Despite not being included in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Iyer expressed his desire to remain engaged with competitive cricket. "All we demanded from ourselves was to back each other whatever the situation is. Looking forward to play more competitive cricket," he said.
1/10:Emotions galore as KKR family celebrates IPL 2024 triumph
IANS
2/10:Gambhir with his family
<p>Gautam Gambhir with his wife and daughters after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>
3/10:SRK celebrates with Shreyas Iyer's mother
<p>Shah Rukh Khan with Shreyas Iyer's mother after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>
4/10:Jay Shah poses with Gambhir
<p>BCCI secretary Jay Shah poses with Gautam Gambhir after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>AP
5/10:SRK with 'Hero' of the final Starc
<p>Shah Rukh Khan with Mitchell Starc after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>
6/10:Touching moment!
<p>Shah Rukh Khan kissed Gautam Gambhir's forehead after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday. <br /></p>AP
7/10:A king-size hug for skipper Iyer
<p>Shah Rukh Khan hugs skipper Shreyas Iyer after Kolkata Knight Riders won their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>
8/10:The winning hug!
<p>Shah Rukh Khan hugs wife Gauri soon after Kolkata Knight Riders clinched their third Indian Premier League title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday.<br /></p>
9/10:SRK does his signature pose for fans
<p>Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan celebrates after his team defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League final match in Chennai on Sunday.</p>AP
10/10:Shah Rukh Khan acknowledges the crowd after victory
<p>Shah Rukh Khan acknowledges the crowd after Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League final match in Chennai on Sunday. <br /></p>PTIWe were outplayed: Pat Cummins
SRH captain Pat Cummins conceded that his team was outplayed, acknowledging the exceptional performance by KKR's bowlers.
"I thought they bowled fantastically. We were outplayed. They didn't give us anything. It was a tricky wicket and didn't feel like a 200-plus wicket. 160 would have given us a chance," Cummins stated.
Cummins also thanked his players and the fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. "I had not worked with many of the guys before but it was great working with them. A really great squad and the staff. We play a lot in India but in front of a sea of blue. So, it was good to have a crowd on our side at times," he added.
As KKR celebrate their third IPL triumph, the theme of invincibility stands out, marking a season of flawless execution and team spirit under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer.
(With inputs from PTI)
