A season of records, all-round brilliance, and relentless dominance saw Kolkata Knight Riders lift their first IPL title in a decade
When Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in 2014, Gautam Gambhir was at the helm, leading them to their second title. A decade later, the stars aligned once again. In 2024, KKR reclaimed the coveted trophy and did so emphatically—this time with Gambhir back in the camp, not as a captain, but as a mentor. Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Men in Purple and Gold stormed through the tournament, playing fearless cricket and dominating every challenge that came their way.
On a humid night at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, the final chapter of their dream run was drafted. Facing a high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), KKR delivered a commanding performance, dismantling their opponents to clinch their third IPL title. From the league stage to the grand finale, they were a force to be reckoned with, showcasing a perfect blend of power-hitters, crafty spinners, and fiery pacers. This was not just another championship win—it was a statement, a redemption story, and a season to remember.
KKR dominated the league stage, finishing top of the points table with nine wins in 14 matches and 20 points, despite two rain-affected games. Their impressive net run rate of +1.428 showcased their strength. With a solid balance of batting and bowling, they cruised past Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and again in the final to lift the trophy.
One name stood above all—Sunil Narine. Returning as an opener, the Caribbean star was in the form of his life. He scored 488 runs at a striking rate of 180.74, the highest for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and took 17 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 6.69. This made him the second Player in IPL history to score over 450 runs and take more than 15 wickets in a single season, after Shane Watson in 2008. Narine's performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Partnering Narine at the top, Phil Salt was nothing short of spectacular. The English batter scored 435 runs at an impressive strike rate of 182, the third-highest among those with over 350 runs. His fearless style helped KKR achieve a powerplay run rate of 11.12, the second-best in the tournament. Although Salt left mid-season for international duties, his impact was significant. In the upcoming season, he will play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, leaving KKR needing a new aggressive opener.
While the openers set the stage, KKR's middle-order played a crucial role in finishing games. Venkatesh Iyer shone in the playoffs, scoring unbeaten fifties in both knockout matches and totalling 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed significantly with 351 runs at 146.86. Although Rinku Singh had limited chances, he made key contributions, while Ramandeep Singh was impressed with his strike rate of 201.61.
Andre Russell was a standout performer, taking 19 wickets and scoring 222 runs at a strike rate of 185.00. His outstanding all-round performance made him the first foreign Player in IPL history to reach 2,500 runs and 100 wickets.
While the batters stole the limelight, KKR's bowling won them the title. Varun Chakravarthy finished as the team's leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps, averaging 19.14 with an economy of 8.04. The rising pace sensation, Harshit Rana was equally brilliant, picking up 19 wickets at 20.15. Sunil Narine, as always, delivered with 17 wickets at a miserly 6.69 economy rate.
But the biggest turnaround came from Mitchell Starc. The Aussie quick had a rough start but found his rhythm when it mattered most. He bagged 17 wickets with an economy of 10.61 and was named Player-of-the-Match in both playoff matches, proving why KKR invested big in him. Notably, five KKR bowlers finished with 15+ wickets, the first in IPL history!
