So all it took was a Manish Pandey’s innings (94) which made sure that KXIP’s Wriddhiman Saha’s valiant knock of 115 went out in vain as 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders were IPL champions.
So all it took was a Manish Pandey’s innings (94) which made sure that KXIP’s Wriddhiman Saha’s valiant knock of 115 went out in vain as 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders were IPL champions again as they beat Kings XI Punjab by three at the M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Gautam Gambhir’s side rode their luck throughout this tourney as the Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders rewrote IPL history. So who were the men that mattered the most for KKR? Here are the players who were crucial for KKR in crowning as champions:
Robin Uthappa
With 660 runs at a strike rate of 137.78, KKR’s Robin Uthappa walked away with the prestigious ‘Orange Cap’ which honours the leading run-scorer of the tournament. Robin played some crucial innings post-UAE and was instrumental in leading their side to second in the IPL table.
Gautam Gambhir
Even though he was ordinary with the bat, Gautam Gambhir was a man on a mission. The Delhi southpaw rose like a phoenix as the skipper led the charge going into the IPL final. ‘Gauti’ has been selected for the England tour and this might boost his chances of playing India colours, yet again!
Yusuf Pathan
Out of form in the early stages of the tournament, Yusuf Pathan made a sensational comeback in the second half of the IPL as he fought his way back into the KKR side. His innings of 72 against Sunrisers Hyderabad came against South Africa’s Dale Steyn as he sent the latter to the cleaners.
Sunil Narine
Even though he was expensive in the final, Sunil Narine can be counted as a ‘success’ for KKR in this year’s Indian Premier League. The West Indian spinner bamboozled many a batsmen and was Gambhir ‘key weapon’ when required.
Manish Pandey
He might have been silent with the bat throughout this tourney, but Manish Pandey’s bat did the right noises as his brilliant innings of 94 was enough to lead his side to a second IPL title in 2 years. Pandey who was playing on his home turf, Bengaluru, made use of the useful batting conditions as the Knights reigned again.
Morne Morkel
The lanky South African was a great buy in the IPL auctions and proved his worth by performing with the ball. Morne Morkel provided them breakthroughs at crucial moments and even minimized the runs in the death overs, when called upon.
At the start of this tournament, none would have given a chance to the Kolkata Knight Riders to win the IPL but here they are and crowned as the 2014 IPL champions. The above men were responsible for that!
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