Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders advanced to the IPL 2024 Final with a convincing eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21.
With a target of 160, Kolkata Knight Riders chased it down in just 13.4 over, thanks to brilliant half-centuries by Shreyas Iyer (58*) and Venkatesh Iyer (51*). The pair formed a brilliant unbeaten 97-run partnership to help the team achieve the target and seal their spot for the title clash.
In the 14th over, Shreyas Iyer smashed smashed 22 runs, including three sixes and a four on four consecutive balls off Travis Head to steer KKR to a dominant victory, ensuring their place in the Final with a remarkable finish.
Shreyas Iyer's captain knock stole the show as he played an incredible innings of 58 off 24 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 241.67. The 28-year-old's captaincy too became the talking point as Kolkata Knight Riders' incredible performances in the league stage and Qualifier 1 culminated in their qualification for the playoffs.
After KKR seal their spot for the IPL 2024 Final, fans took to their social media handles, especially X (formerly Twitter) to laud Shreyas Iyer's captaincy in the ongoing IPL season. Many called him as 'underrated captain' as there wasn't much hype around his leadership skills despite KKR finishing the league stage as the table toppers.
Here's how Netizens reacted to Shreyas Iyer's captaincy after KKR sealed their spot in IPL 2024
For the second time, Shreyas Iyer led a team to the IPL final. In IPL 2020, the 29-year-old captained Delhi Capitals to their first final of tournament but eventually lost to the fifth time champions Mumbai Indians.
Meanwhile, KKR qualified for the final for the first time since 2021 and the fourth overall. Under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL titles twice in 2012 and 2014. Then, Eoin Morgan led KKR to their third IPL final but lost to Chennai Super Kings in 2021.
'Today was the day we had to maximise': Shreyas Iyer
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed his elation over the team's performance and lauded the attitude of the bowlers in the Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"Elated by the performance, the responsibility was important, we stood up for each other, extremely happy with the performances." Shreyas said at the post-match presentation.
"Today was the day we had to maximise, we did it and that's what we thrive on. I think the way every bowler stood up to this occasion, the way they came in and took wickets, that was imperative. The attitude and approach of all bowlers was to take wickets and they did." he added.
Kolkata Knight Riders will take on the winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2024 at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on May 26.
