The final, played on June 1st at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, witnessed a captivating clash between two formidable teams
In 2014, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their second IPL title under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy, establishing themselves as one of the league's top contenders. Their showdown against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), led by George Bailey, was a high-scoring spectacle at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 1. As we revisit that thrilling encounter, let's recall the electrifying batting displays that lit up the final match.
Wriddhiman Saha raising his bat after scoring his half-century in 29 balls
KKR elected to field after winning the toss, sending Kings XI Punjab to bat first. After the initial ten overs, Punjab struggled at 58 for two, needing impetus to set a competitive total. Wriddhiman Saha then delivered a mesmerising innings, remaining unbeaten with 115 runs. His remarkable knock propelled Punjab to amass an impressive 141 runs in the last ten overs, culminating in a formidable total of 199-4.
Saha's innings was a spectacle, featuring ten fours and eight sixes, with an exceptional strike rate of 209.09. A standout moment came when he thrashed Sunil Narine for three consecutive boundaries, completing his half-century in just 29 balls. Continuing his dominance, Saha reached a century off 49 balls, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in an IPL final, etching his name in the annals of cricket history.
After early setbacks, Manan Vohra and Wriddhiman Saha joined forces to stabilise Kings XI Punjab's innings. Vohra, initially patient, gradually accelerated his scoring rate to counter the Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers. His innings of 67 runs off 52 balls showcased a blend of patience and aggression, highlighted by six boundaries and two sixes, at a commendable strike rate of 128.84. However, in the 18th over, Piyush Chawla claimed Vohra's wicket with a caught-and-bowled effort, ending their crucial partnership of 129 runs for the 3rd wicket. Despite the dismissal, their partnership propelled Punjab past the 150-run mark, laying the foundation for a competitive total.
Manish Pandey's blistering innings saw him hammer 94 runs off just 50 deliveries.
While chasing a daunting target of 200 runs in the final, KKR faced an early setback as the in-form batter Robin Uthappa departed after contributing just five runs to the scoreboard. However, Manish Pandey rose to the occasion, showcasing his prowess on his home turf with a magnificent innings. Pandey's bat did the talking as he smashed 94 runs off just 50 balls. His innings were adorned with seven boundaries and six towering sixes, boasting an impressive strike rate 188.00.
Partnering with Gautam Gambhir, Pandey led a spirited counterattack, propelling KKR to 59/1 by the end of the Powerplay. Although he missed out on a century, Pandey's innings anchored the innings, forming a crucial 71-run partnership with Yusuf Pathan, keeping KKR in contention for victory.
At 73 for two in eight overs, Pandey and Yusuf Pathan steadied the ship, injecting momentum into KKR's chase. Pathan's explosive innings, marked by four towering sixes and a blistering strike rate of 188.00 in 22 balls, ended when he fell prey to Karanveer Singh's bowling, attempting another big hit. In the final over, with victory within reach, Piyush Chawla struck the winning boundary, securing the IPL trophy for KKR for the second time. For his instrumental innings of 94 runs, Manish Pandey was named the Man of the Match.
