In a season that began with fireworks and ended the same way, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) demolished Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 110 runs, wrapping up their IPL 2024 campaign with a commanding display of power-hitting and bowling at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Heinrich Klaasen was the star of the night, smashing an unbeaten 105 off just 39 balls, including 7 fours and 9 sixes, many of which sailed into the second tier. Partnering with Travis Head, who blasted 76 off 40 balls, SRH posted an imposing 278/3 — their second massive total of the season after scoring 286 in the opener against Rajasthan Royals.
Klaasen, who walked in after Abhishek Sharma’s breezy 32 off 16, reached his fifty in just 18 balls and carried on the carnage after Head’s dismissal. Head and Abhishek had already set the tone early, adding 79 runs in the Powerplay, exploiting the flat Kotla pitch with aggressive strokeplay.
In reply, KKR never looked in the chase and folded for 168 in 18.4 overs. Jaydev Unadkat (2/23) drew first blood with clever variations, while Harsh Dubey (3/34) and Eshan Malinga (3/31) cleaned up the middle and lower order.
The only KKR batter to show some fight was Manish Pandey with a 37-run knock. Meanwhile, SRH bowlers feasted on a brittle KKR lineup that struggled all season on both home and away pitches.
KKR’s bowling woes continued as none of their main bowlers managed to control the rampaging SRH batsmen. Anrich Nortje (0/60), Harshit Rana (0/40), and Varun Chakravarthy (0/54) were all taken apart. Only Sunil Narine (2/42) and Vaibhav Arora (1/39) had relatively better outings.
Despite this thumping win, SRH missed out on playoff qualification — a result of inconsistent performances through the season. They won six matches, had one no-result, and lost crucial close games that proved costly.
In hindsight, SRH dazzled on batting-friendly tracks but failed to adapt on trickier surfaces. The campaign ends with a sense of “what could have been”, but also with glimpses of their devastating potential.
Match Summary:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 278/3 in 20 overs
(Heinrich Klaasen 105, Travis Head 76; Sunil Narine 2/42)* - Kolkata Knight Riders: 168 all out in 18.4 overs
(Manish Pandey 37; Eshan Malinga 3/31, Harsh Dubey 3/34, Jaydev Unadkat 2/23) - Result: SRH won by 110 runs
