We played like invincibles throughout the season: Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer couldn’t hide his excitement after Kolkata Knight Riders hammered Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the 2024 Indian Premier League on May 26 (Sunday). The Men in Purple lost only three games in the league stage and then defeated SRH in the Qualifier 1 and the final to lift their third trophy.

Talking about their dominating campaign, Iyer said: “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.

“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. The game could have gone either way.”

Asked to bowl first, Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora wreaked havoc in the powerplay. The two reduced SRH to 21/3 before Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine joined the party and dismantled them for just 113. In reply, KKR hunted down the target with 9.3 overs and eight wickets to spare.

“(On Starc doing well in knockouts) 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. Russell has got that magic wand, he's looking forward to pick wickets. When I look at him, I know we can look at him. All the guys stepped up at the right time. Made it easier. It has been a flawless season.”

Starc struggled in the league stage but bounced back in the playoffs in some style, winning the Player of the Match award in both games. The left-armer took 3/34 in the first Qualifier and then claimed 2/24 in the final. All of these wickets came in the powerplay, giving KKR an early advantage in both matches.

“It was a great night for KKR. What a season. Probably the two most exciting teams in the final. It was an awkward journey. I think we had a fantastic squad and we remained such a consistent side with contributions from everyone. That was a big part of our success,” said Starc.

“There have been plenty of jokes. A lot has been made of the money. I am older and experienced now, so that helped to deal with all that and leading the attack. It was a lot of fun for me personally and we have got an exciting attack. Will be great to see how they go.”

Meanwhile, Sunil Narine was named Player of the Tournament. The spin-bowling all-rounder from West Indies smashed 488 runs at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 180.74. With the ball, the spinner claimed 17 wickets at an economy of 6.69. 

“I think coming to the ground today felt like 2012. The feeling is overwhelming. I am enjoying my cricket at the moment - batting, bowling and fielding. What helps is that your team is winning,” said Narine, who won his maiden IPL trophy with the same franchise at the same venue in 2012.

“I tried to get the team off the flier and GG (Gautam Gambhir) said just go in and try to win the games for the team. I tried to do exactly that and I think it was a very good advice. Once you have an opening partner with the same intent, it helps.”

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