Kolkata Knight Riders down Sunrisers Hyderabad to claim third IPL title

Mitchell Starc delivered a remarkable opening spell, propelling Kolkata Knight Riders to their third Indian Premier League championship with a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final held on Sunday.

In a final that saw Hyderabad dismissed for the lowest total in IPL history, a mere 113 runs, Starc, the left-arm Australian paceman, showcased his prowess by claiming 2 wickets for just 14 runs. His performance justified his status as one of the premier bowlers in the lucrative T20 tournament.

Starc, who fetched a record-breaking $2.98 million in the December auction, concluded the IPL with notable displays, including a pivotal 3-wicket haul in the first playoff against the same opponent.

Following a swift start from Kolkata's batsmen, despite the early loss of Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer solidified their innings with a partnership worth 91 runs. Iyer, particularly impressive with his left-handed batting, reached his half-century in just 24 balls and remained unbeaten on 52, steering Kolkata to victory with 9.3 overs to spare.

The triumph marked Kolkata's second IPL title at the venue, with their previous victory dating back to 2012. The near-capacity crowd at the 36,000-seater stadium erupted in celebration as Kolkata cemented their status as the dominant force, having topped the league phase with 20 points.

In addition to the marquee signing of Starc, Kolkata also benefitted from the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, the former India batsman who led the team to two IPL titles, including the 2014 victory.

Despite Hyderabad's strong batting credentials, highlighted by their record-breaking performances earlier in the tournament, they faltered under the pressure of Starc's bowling prowess.

Starc's early strikes, including the crucial dismissal of in-form batsman Abhishek Sharma, set the tone for Kolkata's dominant performance. Despite a brief resistance from Pat Cummins, who scored 24 runs, Hyderabad failed to post a competitive total, ultimately succumbing to Kolkata's bowling attack, led by Starc and complemented by Andre Russell's 3-wicket haul.