KKR vs SRH Highlights, IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: KKR Thrash SRH To Reach Final; SRK's Reaction Says It All

More than the confidence I was really wanting to go out and bat, we last played a game on 11th, so we all were eager to go out and showcase our talent. The wicket was really good. In a tournament like this, momentum is really important, we have seen RCB winning their matches and gaining the momentum even we wanted that momentum, so we wanted to go out and wanted the rain to stop but it was disappointing. But, we were the table toppers and we have got a lot of support from the management. It is always special for players like us to play in the IPL final, it’s a dreamy moment for us, going to Chennai and looking forward to it. We were raring to go out there, when you have the momentum you want to really go out there. You saw Rinku fielding in hot spots and taking those catches, it’s the excitement we have to go out there and perform.

Yeah we will try to put this behind quickly, good thing we will have a crack at it (second qualifier). You have those days in T20 cricket where things doesn't quite work out. We weren't where we wanted with the bat and obviously couldn't do much with the ball. Felt that extra batting was important (picking the impact sub) on this wicket. Thought KKR bowled really well, there was a little bit in it early on and the surface got better. We all have played enough cricket, and going to a new venue (Chennai) helps us as well, so we gotta keep this behind and move on. (edited)

6,6,4,6,6 - Those were the last five balls of the match as Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer both slammed half-centuries to guide KKR to a 8-wicket victory over SRH. KKR qualify for the IPL 2024 final while SRH will get another chance in Qualifier 2.

A boundary for Venkatesh Iyer followed by a boundary for Shreyas Iyer - Is this perfection from KKR? The batters are looking in sublime form and SRH have no answers at the moment.

T Natarajan has struck for SRH and it is Rahmanullah Gurbaz whose innings comes to an end on 23. A wayward shot from the KKR opener and it went straight to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. Can SRH fight back?

T Natarajan has struck for SRH and it is Rahmanullah Gurbaz whose innings comes to an end on 23. A wayward shot from the KKR opener and it went straight to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. Can SRH fight back?

Phil Salt was one of the top performers for KKR this season but Rahmanullah Gurbaz has taken over the role perfectly. A massive six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar and KKR are looking extremely comfortable in this run chase.

I have been fortunate enough to play on some big occasions, nice to get our team off to a good start, we know how SRH matched us in terms of attacking with the bat in the powerplay. Their (Head and Abhishek) partnership has been the key for them and to get both of them out cheaply, it's really pleasing. The wicket's got a bit skiddier and there is some swing as well, I feel the wicket will get better with dew and the powerplay will be really key for us.

Sunil Narine opens the batting for KKR with Rahmanullah Gurbaz while Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be bowling the first over for SRH. An important run chase up ahead!

That's all! SRH are bundled out for 159 as Andre Russell claims the final wicket. A tremendous performance by the KKR bowlers and this is going to be tough for SRH to defend.

40 runs is the joint-most Sunil Narine conceded in an inning this IPL. He conceded 1/40 against RCB at Bengaluru earlier this season.

Shreyas Iyer's captaincy has come under the scanner as Klaasen and Tripathi fight back for SRH. Shreyas decided to not make Starc complete his overs and instead gave the ball to Russell and Narine. The move has not worked till now and the commentators were not convinced by the decisions.

Most wickets in powerplay in IPL 2024 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Mitchell Starc needs no introduction when it comes to what he can do but this season has been a bit disappointing. But three wickets till now in this match proves once again why he is considered to be a world-class cricketer.

Travis Head in the last two matches 

A dangerous yorker from Mitchell Starc and it hit Rahul Tripathi's pad first before hitting his bat. However, KKR players including Starc were not convinced and they ended up not opting for the review. Replays show that Tripathi was out and this is a huge lifeline for SRH.

The Travis Head wicket was a setback but SRH are playing in their own trademark fashion. Couple of boundaries off Mitchell Starc by Rahul Tripathi and it looks like they are going to attack from the first over irrespective of the situation.

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma to open the batting for SRH while Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over for KKR. Game on!

It has been a brilliant season for Abhishek Sharma and the SRH batter is 3 sixes away from 150 sixes in T20s. A huge feat for the youngster who has impressed both fans and experts.

Both KKR and SRH have opted for no changes in their playing XIs but it is still the first time that Rahmanullah Gurbaz will play for KKR in IPL 2024. Phil Salt was preferred as the wicket-keeping choice till now and with him leaving and KKR not playing the last two matches due to rain, it is going to be a tough test for Gurbaz.

Kolkata Knight Riders Impact Subs: Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfaine Rutherford 

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy