The Kolkata Knight Riders have won the IPL trophy for the third time. In the final match played on Sunday, KKR defeated the 2016 champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad, by eight wickets. Previously, Kolkata had won the titles in 2012 and 2014. After becoming champions, KKR team owner Shah Rukh Khan appeared very happy. He kissed team mentor Gautam Gambhir on the forehead and expressed his gratitude for leading the team to victory. Not only that, Shah Rukh hugged his wife Gauri right after the win and got emotional. Let’s take a look at Kolkata’s moments of victory in pictures...
KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan celebrated the team’s title win in Chennai on Sunday. The Bollywood superstar celebrated the win with his daughter Suhana, son AbRam, and Aryan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and got emotional. Shah Rukh did not waste any time joining the team celebration. Shah Rukh Khan appreciated Gautam Gambhir’s contribution as the team mentor in his first season by kissing him on the forehead.
Shreyas Iyer became the second KKR captain to win the IPL trophy after Gambhir. The Knight Riders ended their 10-year wait for the prestigious title. Later, Gautam Gambhir lifted Sunil Narine in joy. Gambhir was seen smiling in this league for the first time after the win. Narine and Gambhir played together in the championship teams of 2012 and 2014. Narine was named the Most Valuable Player or Player of the Tournament this year, scoring 488 runs and taking 15 wickets in 17 matches.
Shah Rukh Khan was also seen warmly hugging the most expensive player of the IPL, fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who cost 24.75 crore rupees. Starc was seen having a long conversation with Shah Rukh. King Khan was happy with Starc’s performance, who took a total of five wickets in the qualifier and the final. Starc played a crucial role in defeating Sunrisers on both occasions. Additionally, Shah Rukh hugged his wife Gauri after the win.
Shah Rukh Khan also acknowledged the contribution of head coach Chandrakant Pandit. The two were seen hugging warmly by the boundary rope in Chennai. Shah Rukh later posed for pictures with his family. Besides Shah Rukh’s family, Ananya Pandey, Shanaya Kapoor, and others were present to watch the match. Shah Rukh Khan also took a victory lap, entertained fans with his trademark pose, and gave flying kisses to the stands. The veteran Bollywood actor enjoyed lifting the trophy with KKR players.
After recovering from dehydration in Ahmedabad a few days earlier, Shah Rukh came to Chennai to watch the match. He was seen celebrating with KKR players and posed for pictures with Gauri and the trophy.
Gautam Gambhir finally smiled. His team, Kolkata Knight Riders, achieved what they had planned since he took over as the team mentor. KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Chasing a target of 114 runs, they won in just 10.3 overs, and Gambhir was pleased. His mission for IPL 2024 was accomplished.
However, there is talk of Gautam Gambhir replacing Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. After the final, Gambhir was seen having an intense discussion with BCCI secretary Jay Shah, sparking speculation on the internet.
After Kolkata’s win, Andre Russell got emotional and was seen crying. This was his first IPL trophy and his first IPL final, in which he became a champion.
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and chose to bat first, but Kolkata’s bowlers bowled brilliantly, restricting Hyderabad to 113 runs in 18.3 overs. Captain Pat Cummins scored the highest with 24 runs off 19 balls for Hyderabad. No Hyderabad batsman played a big inning or formed a significant partnership, which cost them dearly.
Chasing the target, Kolkata won with 114 runs for two wickets in 10.3 overs, thanks to Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 52 off 26 balls, including four fours and three sixes, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 39 off 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes. Sunil Narine contributed six runs, while captain Shreyas Iyer returned to the pavilion after scoring six runs off three balls.
Actress Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao also reached Chennai to watch the match, supporting Kolkata Knight Riders. Their pictures have surfaced. Kolkata last won the title in the 2014 season by defeating Punjab Kings and now, after 10 years, they have reclaimed the trophy. This is KKR’s second title in Chepauk, where they first won in 2012 by defeating Chennai.
