The anticipation is palpable as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) gear up to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the climactic final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024set to unfold on Sunday (May 26) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

As the all-important encounter approaches, KKR will draw confidence from their successful record against SRH this season. Having emerged victorious in both encounters against the Sunrisers so far, KKR will be determined to register a hat-trick win in the summit clash. On the other hand, SRH will be keen to turn the tables and claim victory to clinch the IPL title. With high stakes and intense competition, cricket fans can expect a thrilling and fiercely contested battle between these two formidable teams.

KKR vs SRH: Head to Head Record:

• KKR and SRH have engaged in 27 encounters since 2013 in the IPL.
• While KKR (18) have emerged victorious in a majority of the matches, SRH (9) has also clinched wins on several occasions.
• Out of their five previous encounters, both the sides provided tough fight to each other with KKR winning 4 games while SRH have emerged victorious in 1.
• This will be the second encounter between both the sides at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Kolkata won the earlier contest here by 10 runs against Hyderabad in 2021.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Overview:

KKR stormed into the grand finale of IPL 2024 with a resounding victory over SRH in the Qualifier 1, triumphing by a commanding eight-wicket margin. This emphatic win emphasis KKR’s formidable track record in IPL finals, having now reached the summit clash a total of four times, including the ongoing 2024 season. Notably, KKR has tasted IPL glory twice before under the astute leadership of Gautam Gambhir, who now plays a mentoring role for the team in this campaign.

KKR’s probable playing XI for the IPL 2024 final against SRH:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
2. Sunil Narine
3. Venkatesh Iyer
4. Shreyas Iyer (c)
5. Nitish Rana
6. Andre Russell
7. Rinku Singh
8. Ramandeep Singh
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Harshit Rana
11. Varun Chakravarthy

A closure look:

• KKR’s lineup for their upcoming match is formidable and well-balanced. Gurbaz will handle the wicketkeeping duties and provide a strong start at the top of the order. Narine, known for his all-round capabilities, will follow, offering both batting prowess and spin bowling.
• Venkatesh will add depth to the batting lineup. Shreyas, the captain, will lead from the front with his experience and tactical acumen. Nitish and Russell, both powerful hitters, will be key in the middle order, with Russell also contributing as an all-rounder. Rinku and Ramandeep will provide further batting strength.
• The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Starc, bringing pace and aggression, supported by Harshit and the spin wizard Chakravarthy. This lineup positions KKR strongly as they aim to continue their dominance and secure a top finish in the standings.

Also READ: Top 5: Teams with most appearances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Overview:

SRH earned themselves a well-deserved shot at redemption by securing a spot in the IPL 2024 final as one of the top two teams in the points table. Their journey to the final was marked by resilience and determination, culminating in a convincing victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2, where they emerged victorious by a commanding margin of 36 runs.

Despite being relatively newer entrants compared to some other franchises, SRH has made significant strides in the IPL, making it to the final twice in their 12-season history. Their maiden IPL triumph came in 2016 under the captaincy of Australia’s David Warnerand while they reached the final again two seasons later, they were ultimately thwarted by the formidable Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

SRH’s probable playing XI for the IPL 2024 final against KKR:

1. Travis Head
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Nitish Reddy
4. Heinrich Klaasen (WK)
5. Abdul Samad
6. Shahbaz Ahmed
7. Sanvir Singh
8. Pat Cummins (C)
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Jaydev Unadkat
11. Mayank Markande

A closure look:

SRH’s lineup features Head and Abhishek as their opening batters, aiming to provide a solid foundation. Nitish Reddy will add depth to the top order, while Klaasen, the wicketkeeper, will be pivotal in the middle order with his aggressive batting. Samad and Shahbaz will contribute as all-rounders, offering both batting and bowling options. Sanvir will add further balance to the lineup. Cummins, the captain, will lead the pace attack alongside experienced bowler Bhuvneshwar and the reliable Unadkat. Markande will handle the spin duties, rounding out a well-balanced and formidable team.

Also READ: IPL 2024 Team of the tournament: Best playing XI ft. Virat Kohli and Andre Russell