Social media buzzed with memes and reactions following the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) emphatic victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday. KKR's eight-wicket win at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium left some fans expressing disappointment on social media, with some labelling the match "boring" or "bakwas." The low score posted by SRH (113) and KKR's swift chase (within 11 overs) likely contributed to the perception of a one-sided contest. However, others used the opportunity to create humorous memes celebrating KKR's triumph or poking fun at SRH's performance.
Here's how netizens reacted:
Despite losing the coin toss, KKR dominated with their bowling attack, dismissing SRH for a mere 113 runs – the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL final. In reply, KKR chased down the modest target of 114 runs with 57 balls remaining. Opener Venkatesh Iyer top-scored with an unbeaten 52 off 26 deliveries.
Mitchell Starc (2-14), Andre Russell (3-19) and Harshit Rana (2-24) were the key performers with the ball for the Knight Riders. SRH's batting lineup simply faltered under pressure.
Opting to bat first, SRH's innings got off to a disastrous start. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head were dismissed cheaply, with Head registering a first-ball duck to a swinging delivery from Starc. The left-arm pacer continued his dominance, dismissing Rahul Tripathi in the fifth over to leave SRH reeling at 21-3.
First-change bowler Harshit Rana added to SRH's woes, removing Nitish Reddy (13). Andre Russell then joined the party, dismissing Aiden Markram in his first over as SRH slumped to 62-5 by the 11th over. The Hyderabad franchise never recovered from this early collapse.
Brief Scores:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 113 all out (18.3 overs) (Pat Cummins 24; Mitchell Starc 2-14, Andre Russell 3-19, Harshit Rana 2-24)
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 114-2 (10.3 overs) (Venkatesh Iyer 52 not out)