IPL Rewind – 2012: Kolkata Knight Riders secure their maiden title
After establishing dominance in the previous two seasons, all eyes were on MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings to add a third title in their trophy cupboard and complete a hat-trick of IPL trophies. However, Kolkata Knight Riders had other plans.
A reinforced KKR, steered by skipper Gautam Gambhir, went on to clinch their maiden IPL title despite starting their 2012 campaign on a disappointing note. CSK, while battling KKR in the final, missed the hat-trick by the narrowest of margins. KKR, on the other hand, achieved something consequential to mark their arrival in the elite list of ‘IPL Champions’.
The beginning
The Knight Riders got off to a woeful start, losing their first two games against Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals. Who would’ve imagined that Gautam Gambhir and his troops would eventually etch their name on the trophy? Barring individual performances, KKR had never stamped their authority on the IPL trophy. But 2012 was special.
Gambhir, leading from the front, scored 590 runs and instilled a winning mentality in the side. The swashbuckling left-hander was also the second-highest run-scorer in that season. He was also assisted by Player of the Tournament Sunil Narine. Weaving magic with his fingers, Narine scalped 24 wickets– second highest in the tournament– to play a vital role in KKR basking in glory.
After losing their first two encounters, KKR retaliated and clinched two consecutive wins. But their winning run was halted by Kings XI Punjab as they handed KKR a narrow 2-run defeat. There was no looking back for Gambhir and his troops from that point. KKR went on to clinch six matches in a row except for a washed-out match against Deccan Chargers.
Kolkata eventually finished second in the league stage, a point behind an in-form Delhi Daredevils’ side. KKR had an arduous task of toppling the Delhi side in the semi-final. But an all-round performance helped the Knight Riders to pave their way into their maiden IPL final. KKR defeated DD by 18 runs in the semi-final but the job was half-finished. They still had a dominant CSK side to defeat in the final.
The final
Dhoni and his men had maintained their consistency to qualify for yet another IPL final. Most people would’ve put their money on the Yellow Army to complete their hat-trick. But some impressive batting performances from Manvinder Bisla (89 off 48 deliveries) and Jacques Kallis (69 off 49 balls) steered KKR to hunt down the target of 191.
The City of Joy was ecstatic on that night with purple flags and jerseys waving all around the city. It was more than a win for the Kolkata franchise. It was the reinforcement of a franchise which was yearning to lift some silverware. KKR also went on to add another IPL title in 2014 by defeating Kings XI Punjab in the final.
