Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stormed into their fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) final with a comprehensive victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
The two-time champions, who finished atop the league standings, faced off against the second-ranked SRH in a thrilling contest. SRH was restricted to a mere 159 runs, a target that the Shreyas Iyer-led KKR side chased down with 38 balls to spare.
After the match, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan lauded the players for their triumph. However, a poignant moment occurred when Khan shared a warm embrace with SRH batter Rahul Tripathi, offering solace after the defeat. Tripathi had showcased resilience, scoring 55 runs off 35 deliveries, yet his knock was cut short by a run-out.
Tripathi’s dejection was evident as he sat on the venue’s stairs in despair. Khan’s consoling gesture was hailed by fans on social media, highlighting the bond between the duo from their previous association at KKR.
With the win, KKR advanced to the IPL final, aiming for their third title triumph. SRH, on the other hand, will have one last chance to reach the summit clash in the second qualifier, where they await the winner of the eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
