'Strongest contenders to lift IPL 2024 trophy': Harbhajan Singh after KKR confirm spot in Qualifier 1
Harbhajan labels KKR as 'strongest contenders to lift IPL 2024 trophy'
Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were set to lock horns in match 63 of the IPL 2024 edition on Monday (May 13) in Ahmedabad. However,the entire game was abandoned due to weather conditionsresulting in GT's ouster. As both teams shared a point each, it led to an end of the campaign for Shubman Gill & Co. -- who only hadfaint hopes of getting into the playoffs -- whereas KKR, the onlyteam to qualify so far, are now assured of a top-two finish in the points table.
Shreyas Iyer-led KKR are at the top spot with 19 points with their closest rivals Rajasthan Royals (RR) at 16. While RR can still get to 20 points, winning their remaining two games, including one against KKR, Kolkata will still end in the top two. Thus, they are assured of a spot in Qualifier 1, also to be held in Ahmedabad next week.
Thus, Harbhajan Singh, multiple-time IPL winner --and ex-KKR spinner -- opined on his former franchise's chances of lifting the trophy this year.
Talking on Star Sports, Harbhajan said, "They have very good chances because the team is very good. It's an extremely balanced team. I don't think they have anything lacking in their team. The opening slots, middle order, fast and spin bowling are all set. They have all the options a good team should have and that is why they are the table toppers."
'They are the strongest contendersbecause of severalmatch winners'
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The veteran spinner added, "I feel they are the strongest contenders to lift the trophy because they have a lot of match winners. The opposing team needs to have a very good day to beat them. I feel it would be slightly difficult to beat them this season because they are playing terrific cricket."
In this season, KKR have won ninegames, with only threedefeats and a no-result match.It is to be noted that the last two timesKKR finished in the top two in the points table, they went on to win the IPLtrophy (in 2012 and2014).
Will the Kolkata franchise claim their third title this time around? Only time will tell...