The square boundaries are equidistant - 63m to each side. 70m hit straight down the ground, which should not bother the batters too much. It looks very, very dry, says Matthew Hayden. Taking pace off could be the key because of how dry the surface is. It is darker in some patches, which means the pitch has retained a bit of moisture, despite the heat in Ahmedabad. Still very hard, though, and he concludes by saying that there might not be much of spin, although the off-pace deliveries by pacers could be a prevalent feature.
VENUE STATS
1st Innings
166Avg Runs
6Avg Wkts
139.35Avg
SR
2nd Innings
154Avg Runs
5Avg Wkts
139.86Avg
SR
Weather Update
Weather Update
Ahmedabad,India
Updated: 21 May 22:30
37.3°CSmoke
smoke
0%
Clouds
0%
Rain %
22%
Humidity
5.7 kmph
Wind
Playing XILineups Out
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Expert Team 1
S Narine
A Sharma
Expert Team 2
T Head
A Russell
Venue Details
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The square boundaries are equidistant - 63m to each side. 70m hit straight down the ground, which should not bother the batters too much. It looks very, very dry, says Matthew Hayden. Taking pace off could be the key because of how dry the surface is. It is darker in some patches, which means the pitch has retained a bit of moisture, despite the heat in Ahmedabad. Still very hard, though, and he concludes by saying that there might not be much of spin, although the off-pace deliveries by pacers could be a prevalent feature.
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Buoy oh buoy! What a thrilling all round performance from the Kolkata Knight Riders. They were ahead or the game right from the first over and SRH despite a good partnership between Rahul Tripathi and Heinrich Klaasen couldn't get anywhere close to the score they would have wanted after winning the toss and batting. It showed the vulnerability of the SRH batting if the openers doesn't provide a blistering start. They have a couple of days to recover from this defeat and with the way they have performed, SRH might deserve the second chance. They will face the winner of tomorrow's game to decide the second finalist. Meanwhile, KKR will get a four day break before the final in Chennai on Sunday. They will be buzzing with confidence and will be hoping to win their third IPL title. Like always, it was a pleasure bringing all the live updates from the game. Another big match coming up tomorrow with the Rajasthan Royals slated to lock horns against the resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the eliminator. While Rajasthan have failed to win a game in May, RCB haven't lost a game in May. Who will prevail? Do join us then and for many more sporting actions in Sportskeeda but for now this is me (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentator and good mate Shashwat Kumar. Goodnight! Cheers!
Mitchell Starc (Player of the Match): Yeah I mean we know how important the powerplay is. We have been the two sides who have dominated the powerplay so getting wickets early on against SRH is massive. If you get the ball swinging against Abhishek and Travis was great. Got lucky with the Trav wicket I guess. We have played cricket together and it was nice to see the back of Travis early. Yeah they are exciting to watch and hugely talented. We have guys who haven't player but are very skilful. They are all ready to go if need be. Harshit has been phenomenal in the tournament. It's hard to single out as the whole bowling unit has bowled superbly.
Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders captain): Yeah elated by the perorrmances. The responsibility was important and the way we stood for each other was pleasing for the eyes. Absolutely the rejuvenation was important for us. It's not easy to keep travelling, yeah I think it's important to stay in the present and that is what we did. That's what we thrive on. Yeah brilliant bowling performance. Each and every bowler stood up to the occasion. At one stage SRH were closing at 9 an over and the wickets were imperative at this stage. When you have variety in the bowling line up, it is just mesmerising. They have been true in their work ethics and the way they have been capitalising is great. The way Gurbaz came in, he gave an impactful start for us. Sunni as usual. It's very important in the powerplay. We have to see we carry forward the same run rate. Not really, I thing is I don't understand Tamil and I reply in Hindi. It's important to enjoy the moment and come the match day we will be in the zone.
T Natarajan gets the award for bowling most dot balls in the match.
Rahul Tripathi gets the award for hitting most fours in the match.
Shreyas Iyer bags the award for hitting most sixes in the match.
Mitchell Starc is the Ultimate Fantasy Player of the Match.
Shreyas Iyer gets the Electric Striker of the Match Award.
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony with Ravi Shastri.
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets (with 38 deliveries to spare)
Kolkata Knight Riders became the first team to qualify for the final of IPL 17 after annihilating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1. It was a clinical all-round performance and there was no stopping KKR right from ball one. After a commanding show with the ball, the batters came out firing on all cylinders and chased it down with more than six overs to spare.
A target of 160 was never going to be enough for the Sunrisers. They had to make early inroads in the KKR line up if they harboured hopes of making a match of it. Sunil Narine came out firing like he always does and his new opening partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz was not far away. Both played some incredible shots to get them going. Narine started with a couple of boundaries against Pat Cummins while Gurbaz launched into Bhuvneshwar Kumar to provide the start which KKR needed.
Gurbaz was dismissed by T Natarajan in the 4th over but the start was provided and with the required rate hovering around 6, the momentum was well and truly with KKR despite the wicket. Narine departed for a well made 21 before Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer put on a remarkable show to take KKR over the finish line without any further hiccups. Venkatesh in particular looked in belligerent touch and cashed in on anything loose by either the pacers or the spinners.
He played the field to perfection and deposited the drag downs over the midwicket fence. His unbeaten knock of 51 came in 29 deliveries and included five fours and four sixes. Cummins handed over the ball to Travis Head when the match was almost done and dusted and that helped Shreyas Iyer to finish the match off very quickly.
Three sixes and a four of the last four deliveries of the match took KKR over the finish line with 8 wickets in hand. Shreyas remained unbeaten on 58 off just 24 deliveries which was studded with five fours and four sixes. The win will boost the morale of KKR and they will look to rest and come out firing all cylinders on Sunday.
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders): More than the confidence I was really wanting to go out there and bat. KKR played the last game on the 11th so we were all desperate to go out there and show our talent. Credit goes to our bowlers. To bowl them out for 160 odd was brilliant. Credit to the bowlers for giving us the confidence to go express ourselves. To be honest, in a tournament like this momentum is extremely important. We've seen that with RCB, they've won games continuously. We were waiting for the rain to stop and it didn't so that was disappointing. But we were table-toppers and we were confident. Credit goes to the owners, SRK sir and Jay (Mehta) sir also came and gave us a pep talk. It's always special - for players like us, the opportunity to play the IPL final is a dream for us, coming here first and now going to the Chepauk Stadium. It's a realistic chance to lift the IPL trophy. We were raring to out there. It's been a while since we've taken the field and when you have that momentum you want to go out there. Touchwood all the bowlers have been in good form. The franchise has backed us and given us so much confidence. It's the excitement that we have to play that makes us go out there.
Pat Cummins, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain: (On tonight being a night to forget) Put this behind us quickly. Not our day, but good thing we can have another crack at it (the final). We were a bit off the pace. You have those days in T20 cricket. Just does not work out for you. We were probably short of where we wanted to be with the bat and then could not get it done with the ball. (On the Impact Player) Sanvir played last game. We were hoping not to use the batting sub to have Umran up our sleeve, but we felt we needed it. KKR bowled really well. The wicket got better but there was something in it early. I think we have all played enough cricket. Going to a different venue helps. We have to start again, we have a good body of work. We put this behind and move on.
What a win, what an astounding performance of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Thorough domination right from the outset. This is a kind of performance which will give them massive confidence going into the final on Sunday. That's a massive win for KKR and displayed why they have been the best team of the tournament. Shreyas Iyer finishing the match off in style with three sixes and a four. The message is loud and clear for any team which comes and faces KKR in the final.
13.4 Travis Head to Shreyas Iyer, THE KNIGHT RIDERS ARE IN THE FINAL, AND THEIR CAPTAIN HAS LANDED THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH! Slowed up even more, but again, right in the slot. This is outside off and that gives Shreyas swinging room to pummel it over long on. KKR are elated, as are their fans. SRH are dejected, and they have plenty to do as they head to Chennai!
Now Shreyas Iyer gets to a half century in style. Tossed up from Head and that goes many a mile over deep square leg.
13.3 Travis Head to Shreyas Iyer, 14 OFF THE OVER ALREADY! Another hit-me ball. Lands right where Shreyas wants, and he cannot believe what has been dished out. Clears his front leg and clatters it over deep square leg!
This is very easy for Shreyas Iyer at the moment. A collosal six followed by a whip over the midwicket fielder.
13.2 Travis Head to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR MORE! Slot ball again on the pads. Shreyas springs onto the front foot and clips it between deep mid wicket and long on!
13.1 Travis Head to Shreyas Iyer, ANOTHER MIGHTY BLOW! Floated up into the slot outside leg stump. That is a proper buffet ball and Shreyas smokes it clean over deep square leg!
The Knight Riders are just within touching distance of the victory target. Both the Iyer's have batted superbly here and as I type, Venkatesh Iyer ends the over with a flat batted slap over the midwicket fence and reaches his half century in style. This has been an utterly dominating show from KKR and it might leave Sunrisers mentally jaded ahead of their next game.
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S Narine
A Sharma
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Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
