The winning squad.

It was a great night for Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL finals against the scorching Sun-risers at Chepauk. Both teams had the best dynamic openers and the bowling strength to choke any team (“It’s a big gift from all of us,” May 25, Gulf Today website).

Ironically, the SRH skipper Pat Cummins read the pitch wrong and chose to bat after winning the toss and paid the price. Mitchell Starc, as in the case of their qualifier 1 match against SRH, bowled a sensational opening spell to knock out the top order batsmen of SRH, who were the backbone of many of their victories.

But, as averred by Starc, KKR had a fantastic squad and were the most consistent side, with contributions from everyone, which was their success mantra. Of course, due credit should also go to the coach and mentor of the team. Well played KKR, you richly deserved to lift the title.

Incidentally, this year’s WPL finals result too was similar to the IPL one. The Delhi Capitals captain Lanning too chose to bat after winning the toss and her team was bowled out for 113 in just 18.3 overs.

The Women RCB team chased the target and won the finals by 8 wickets, as in the case of IPL finals, where Cummins chose to bat after winning the toss and his team was bowled out for the same 113 and in 18.3 overs and KKR won the title by 8 wickets. What a coincidence!

Vinay Mahadevan,

Dubai