IPL: Kolkata Knight Riders sealed playoff berth in these seasons
Kolkata Knight Riders became the first side to reach the 2024 Indian Premier League playoffs after beating Mumbai Indians in Match 60. KKR scored 157/7 before restricting MI to 139/8 in a rain-curtailed fixture at Eden Gardens. KKR, the 2012 and 2014 champions, have reached the IPL playoffs for the eighth time. Here are the other seasons where they sealed the playoff berth.
2011: First playoff appearance
KKR had their moments in the first three seasons but couldn't go through. The addition of Gautam Gambhir as their captain bolstered them in 2011. Although Sourav Ganguly's absence caused an uproar, Gambhir helped KKR finish fourth. The firepower of Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Jacques Kallis, and Brett Lee also strengthened them. KKR played the Eliminator as they lost to Mumbai Indians.
2012: Silverware for the Knights
KKR's investment in a fierce captain like Gambhir reaped dividends as the Knight Riders claimed their maiden IPL title in 2012. The Knight Riders finished second despite having a poor start. They beat Delhi Daredevils in Qualifier 1 before defeating Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling final. All-round Sunil Narine and Gambhir starred in KKR's title-clinching campaign.
2014: KKR claim their second title
While Gambhir continued to bolster KKR in 2014, the services of Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, and Piyush Chawla further solidified them. KKR once again had a poor start, having lost five of their first seven games. They scripted a brilliant comeback thereafter and finally defeated Kings XI Punjab in a historic final. Uthappa had a record-breaking season with 660 runs.
2016, 2017, and 2018: Back-to-back playoff appearances
The Knight Riders missed the playoff berth in 2015 but bagged this spot for the next three seasons (2016, 2017, and 2018). They finished fourth in 2016 before sealing the third spot in 2017 and 2018. Gambhir finally left the franchise following the 2017 season. KKR appointed Dinesh Karthik as their skipper after buying him in the 2018 mega auction.
2021: Third IPL final for KKR
In 2021, Eoin Morgan led KKR to their third IPL final. The Knight Riders faced Chennai Super Kings in the final, making it a repeat of the 2012 summit clash. KKR failed to chase down 193 in what was a one-sided final at the Dubai International Stadium. Faf du Plessis smashed a match-winning 59-ball 86. KKR earlier won the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.
