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The final of the 2024 Indian Premier League sees Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai, on Sunday. These sides finished in the top two places of the group stage and also met in Qualifier 1 last Tuesday, which KKR won easily. The final begins at 19:30 local time.
KKR Team Overview
KKR have not lost a game since Match 42 of this tournament, and confidence is very high around the group. Despite their opening partnership being interrupted by Phil Salt returning to the UK, they have an excellent replacement and will fancy their chances of winning this final.
Key Players
- Sunil Narine: The all-rounder looks to be very much in the running for the Player of the Tournament Award. He will play unorthodox shots in the final and will look to attack from the start.
- Shreyas Iyer (c): The skipper produced a brilliant innings to win in Qualifier 1 with 58 not out from 24 balls.
- Mitchell Starc: The experienced left-arm quick is in fine form, having taken crucial wickets in the previous matches.
- Varun Chakravarhty: The spinner has been consistent and effective throughout the tournament.
Predicted Playing 11
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana
SRH Team Overview
Sunrisers Hyderabad were well beaten in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday but produced an excellent performance in Chepauk on Friday to qualify for the final. They play a fearless brand of cricket and will be very hard to beat on Sunday.
Key Players
- Heinrich Klaasen: His runs on Friday were crucial for SRH. He is averaging 42.09 in this IPL.
- Abhishek Sharma: Despite a quick dismissal in Qualifier 2, he remains a threat with both bat and ball.
- T Natarajan: The experienced bowler has an excellent array of slower balls and is highly economical.
- Shahbaz Ahmed: His all-round performance has been vital, contributing with both bat and ball.
Predicted Playing 11
Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (c), T.Natarajan, Jaydev Unadkat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Match Toss Prediction
After seeing Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully defend a total in Qualifier 2 at this venue on Friday, we expect that both captains will choose to bat first if they win the toss.
Pitch Report
The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium is traditionally slow and spin-friendly. Scores of 250+ are unrealistic, and spinners are likely to dominate. Slower balls will grip, and batters need to capitalize during the powerplay.
Weather Report
It will be a cloudy evening in Chepauk with a slight chance of rain. However, it is only a slight chance, and the temperature is expected to remain at 32 degrees with high humidity.
Head to Head Stats
- Overall: 27 matches played, KKR won 18, SRH won 9.
- Last 5 matches: KKR won 3, SRH won 2.
Where to Watch
- TV Channels: Star Network (India), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Willow TV (USA).
- Live Streaming: Jio Cinema (India), Yupp TV (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal), Willow, Foxtel Go, and Kayo.
Betting Odds and Predictions
KKR are favorites given their dominant performance throughout the tournament and their recent victory over SRH. However, SRH’s recent form at Chepauk gives them a fighting chance. Expect a close contest, but KKR are tipped to win.
Winner: KKR Will Win
The IPL 2024 final promises to be an exciting clash between two top-performing teams. KKR’s consistent form and strategic depth make them the favorites, but SRH’s recent success at this venue adds an intriguing twist. Tune in for a thrilling finale!
