A final face-off for pride: KKR, SRH look to finish IPL 2025 with a spark
New Delhi: As IPL 2024 draws to a close, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will host a clash between two teams whose campaigns never quite took off — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). With both sides out of playoff contention, Sunday’s fixture is less about qualification and more about salvaging pride.
SRH come into the game with slightly better momentum, having recently defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 42 runs and chased down a tricky target against Lucknow Super Giants.
Their explosive batting displays earlier in the season — notably 286/6 against Rajasthan Royals and a 247-run chase against Punjab Kings — showed their potential, even if consistency eluded them.
KKR, on the other hand, have endured a disjointed season.
A fragile middle order and an underperforming batting unit have marred their campaign.
Ajinkya Rahane is the only batter to cross 300 runs, while the team recorded the lowest runs-per-wicket average (20.8) across all franchises.
Their last outing — a washed-out match against RCB — means they haven't played competitive cricket in over two weeks, raising questions about match readiness.
Andre Russell and Rinku Singh’s late-season form could prove decisive if they click together.
While for SRH Rahul Tripathi is a stabilising force in the top order while Mayank Markande could be a handful with the ball in the middle overs.
KKR have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning their last five games against SRH.
Can Hyderabad turn the tide and end their season on a high? No points race. No playoff scenarios. Just one final chance to show resilience, end the campaign with a win, and offer their supporters something to cheer for.
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