GT vs KKR: Kolkata Knight Riders announced IPL 2024 winners by former Indian cricketer

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has predicted the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the winner of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Aakash Chopra expressed confidence in the Kolkata Knight Riders' potential to secure their third title in the prestigious tournament.

The Shreyas Iyer-led team advanced to the playoffs in IPL 2024 after a comfortable victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI). The Knight Riders secured an 18-run win at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, May 11. The home team remained in the top spot in the standings with 18 points in 12 matches.

KKR scored 157 runs for the loss of seven wickets in a rain-curtailed 16-over-a-side game. The KKR bowlers restricted the Mumbai team to 139 runs. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was named player of the match for his bowling performance. Varun took two crucial wickets for 17 runs in his four overs.

KKR Became The First Team To Qualify - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra lauded KKR for their discipline and performance. Chopra stated that the Shreyas Iyer-led team is extremely close to winning their third IPL trophy.

"KKR hai taiyaar. Ami KKR - it is their rule because this team has discipline and have done a great job. They won the game and also became the first team to qualify. There is no doubt that they will finish in the top two. I feel they are extremely close to the trophy - 2012, 2014, and 2024 is loading," Chopra said.

The Kolkata-based team clinched their first IPL title in the 2012 season under Gautam Gambhir's leadership. Gambhir guided the KKR team to their second title in the 2014 season. The former Indian opener joined his former franchise as a mentor ahead of the ongoing T20 tournament.

Venkatesh Iyer Played Well - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that Mumbai Indians bowlers picked up crucial wickets after winning the toss. The cricketer-turned-commentator lauded Venkatesh Iyer for his batting performance despite losing early wickets.

"Hardik (Pandya) won the toss and decided to bowl, which was the right thing to do as well. The start was very good - Sunil Narine was out for zero, Phil Salt got out after hitting a six. After that, Venkatesh Iyer played well but Shreyas Iyer got out. Venkatesh Iyer likes Mumbai a lot. He plays very well against this team," Chopra added.

I Wasn't 100% Sure - Aakash Chopra

The 46-year-old stated that KKR's lower-middle-order batters provided valuable contributions. Chopra stated that he wasn't sure about the KKR total to win the match against the Mumbai Indians.

"Nitish Rana returned, so Angkrish Raghuvanshi went out. Andre Russell was promoted and he played a good knock. Rinku Singh played a good hand in the end and so did Ramandeep Singh. Overall, you reached a fighting score. I wasn't 100% sure that it was a winning score if Mumbai batted to their potential," Chopra further stated.

Venkatesh Iyer was the highest scorer for KKR, scoring 42 runs off 21 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. Nitish Rana, who scored 33 off 23, formed vital partnerships with Venkatesh and Andre Russell. Rinku Singh (20 off 12) and Ramandeep Singh (17* off 8) scored quick runs in the final overs.

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