KKR declared IPL 2024 winner by Mumbai Indians' player

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their place in the playoffs of the ongoing IPL 2024 by defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) in a dramatic encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday, May 11. The hosts, KKR, crushed the MI by 18 runs in the rain-curtailed match on the back of an outstanding bowling display from Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy in Kolkata.

Varun Chakravarthy's stellar performance with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award, as his economical spell of 2/17 in four overs played a key role in KKR restricting MI to a modest total of 139/8 while defending the target of 158 runs in 16 overs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Reflecting on the match, MI’s senior spinner, Piyush Chawla, credited Chakravarthy and Narine for his team’s downfall against KKR. Despite a strong start to their chase, MI faltered between the 7th and 11th overs, losing crucial wickets to Rohit Sharma (19), Suryakumar Yadav (11), and Hardik Pandya (2), and that derailed their momentum against KKR.

Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy's spell made the difference: Piyush Chawla

Narine recorded the figures of 2/21 in 3 overs against MI. The former Indian spinner also claimed that the Shreyas Iyer-led KKR can win the IPL 2024, as T20 cricket is about momentum, and they have momentum with all their players doing well. From Narine and Andre Russell to Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer, all are blazing their guns this season.

Piyush Chawla said in the post-match press conference: “We started off well, but the Sunil Narine spell and the Varun Chakravarthy spell made the difference in today's game. The way that KKR spinners are bowling and the way that they are batting, they can win the tournament. But in playoffs, what matters is how you turn up on that particular day. You just need four overs to change the game in the IPL. They have momentum, all of their players are doing well.”

Meanwhile, the MI has already been eliminated from the ongoing IPL 2024, and the five-time IPL champions will play their final game of the season against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

T20 cricket is about momentum: Piyush Chawla

MI have lost nine of their 13 games in the tournament, and Chawla noted that they didn't get the momentum right from the start that led to their downfall. The veteran MI spinner added, “T20 cricket is about momentum but (sadly) we didn't get that momentum right from the beginning. Sometimes we bowl well and then we end up not batting that well.

Likewise, sometimes we bat well and the bowling is not. So, it's not just that we are lacking in one department. As a unit, we have failed in a few games. And we have to accept that fact as a team. Because at the end of the day, it's a team game. These things do happen.”

Sharing his thoughts on MI's performance this season, Chawal admitted that the team has a formidable batting lineup, but unfortunate circumstances led to their defeat in big matches, including against KKR.

He highlighted the significance of winning small moments as a team, particularly in crucial matches, but lamented that MI failed to capitalize on those opportunities in the tournament.