“We played like invincibles throughout the season,” Shreyas Iyer delighted as KKR thrash Hyderabad to lift their third IPL title
Kolkata Knight Riders completely outplayed Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals to lift their third IPL title. The Shreyas Iyer led side claimed an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Hyderabad, as they brought a fitting end to their campaign.
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer heaped praise on his side, stating that they played like invincibles throughout the course of the tournament. He stated that each individual has stood up for the team when it mattered. Kolkata Knight Riders restricted the Sunrisers Hyderabad to a total of just 113 runs in the first innings, as they chased down the total in just 10.3 overs, with eight wickets to spare.
Venkatesh Iyer impressed with the bat once again, scoring a quickfire 50 which helped his side release the early pressure. “Absolutely comprehensive. This is what we demanded from the team and every individual. They stood up to the right occasion and the feeling is hard to express. It (wait) was so long, longer than the match. We played like invincibles throughout the season,” said Shreyas Iyer in his post match speech.
“There’s so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout. I am running out of words right now. We have been tremendous from game one, we stepped up today. All we demanded from ourselves was to back each other whatever the situation is,” he added.
“He stepped up to the right occasion” : Shreyas Iyer on Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc got off to an absolute horrific start this season, as he was taken to the cleaners. However, he stepped up for his team in the second half of the season, making vital contributions in both the playoff matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
After being awarded the Player of the Match in Qualifier 1, the Australian pacer picked up two wickets in the final, conceding just 14 runs in his three over spell. He removed the in-form Rahul Tripathi and Abhishek Sharma, as he ended the season on a terrific note.
“That’s when all the big players stand up, right! It was a high-pressure game and he’s been so good off the field. He’s never shown any complacency in his work ethics. He stepped up to the right occasion,” Iyer said on Starc.
Andre Russell also had a terrific tournament with the ball, picking up as many as 19 wickets. The West Indian all-rounder delivered with the ball once again in the finals, picking up three wickets in the final stages of the innings. In fact, five KKR bowlers took at least 17 wickets or more, which speaks volumes about their domination this season.
