IPL Flashback - 2012: Gambhir’s Knights bring glory to Kolkata

Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by the charismatic Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, was a popular franchise, but its showings in the first three seasons left a lot to be desired for.

The fifth season of the Indian Premier League witnessed the rise of a new force, a team which had underachieved for the first four season finally found its groove under a new captain and a new management. Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by the charismatic Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, was a popular franchise, but its showings in the first three seasons left a lot to be desired for.

Kolkata Knight Riders with the IPL trophy.(HT Photo)

Local favourite Sourav Ganguly was replaced by Gautam Gamnbhir as captain of the team in 2012 and that bore immediate results as the team made it to the play-offs of the tournament for the first time. But the real fillip came in 2012 as Gambhir led from the front with the bat, notching up 590 runs. In West Indian mystery spinner Sunil Narine, KKR had a proven match winner and the duo ensured KKR finish second in the points table to qualify for the play-offs again.

Another team that was coming into its own was Delhi Daredevils, who topped the league phase on the back of stellar performances from their bowling unit, led by South Africa Morne Morkel and India’s Umesh Yadav. Skipper Virender Sehwag led from the front with 495 runs in the season.

Mumbai Indians rode on the brilliance of Lasith Malinga to finish third while a late surge saw defending champions Chennai Super Kings make the cut for the play-offs.

KKR edged the Daredevils to qualify for the finals while CSK outmuscled Mumbai to set up a clash with Delhi, who had a second shot at making the summit clash for the first time.

CSK though would mercilessly crush those hopes as Dhoni’s Yellow Brigade made it to the finals of the IPL for the fourth time in five years. Playing at home, CSK were given a great start by openers Murali Vijay (42) and Michael Hussey (54). Suresh Raina played a gem of a knock, scoring 73 of just 38 balls as CSK finished with 190 for 3 in their 20 overs.

With a formidable bowling attack and a big score on the board, CSK were the hands down favourite to complete a hat-trick of titles, and when captain Gambhir was dismissed for just 2 in a high pressure chase, the writing it seemed was on the wall. Opener Manvinder Bisla and South African legend Jacques Kallis shared a 136-run stand to bring KKR back into the match. Bisla led the way with 5 sixes and 8 boundaries as the momentum shifted in favour of the Knights.

Kallis took the match deep, but eventually it was down to the street smartness of Shakib al Hasan and Manoj Tiwary as KKR chased down the target with 2 balls to spare to put an end to the plight and misery of KKR owners and fans alike.