KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) won the IPL (Indian Premier League) in 2012. They emerged victorious in the fifth edition of the tournament by defeating CSK (Chennai Super Kings) in the final.

Below is a detailed explanation of KKR's journey to victory in the IPL 2012:

Preliminary Stage:
- KKR had a decent performance in the preliminary stage, finishing fourth on the points table with 8 wins and 7 losses in their 16 matches.
- They showcased a balanced team with strong batting and bowling line-ups.
- Gautam Gambhir was the captain of the team, and they had notable players like Jacques Kallis, Yusuf Pathan, and Sunil Narine.

Playoffs:
- KKR qualified for the playoffs and faced the first-placed team, Delhi Daredevils, in the first qualifier.
- In a thrilling match, KKR defeated Delhi Daredevils by 18 runs, with captain Gambhir leading from the front with a vital half-century.
- This win took KKR directly to the final, while Delhi Daredevils got another chance in the second qualifier.

Final:
- The final was held on May 27, 2012, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
- KKR faced CSK, the team that had won the IPL twice before and was considered a strong contender.
- Batting first, KKR set a target of 191 runs with contributions from Manvinder Bisla (89 off 48 balls) and Jacques Kallis (69 off 49 balls).
- CSK started their chase strongly but lost wickets at crucial intervals. Despite a valiant effort from MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, CSK fell short by 5 runs.
- KKR's bowlers, led by Sunil Narine, performed exceptionally well and played a crucial role in defending the total.
- KKR's victory in the final was their first IPL title, bringing immense joy to the team and their fans.

Conclusion:
In summary, KKR won the IPL in 2012 by defeating CSK in the final. They had a strong team with notable performances from players like Gautam Gambhir, Manvinder Bisla, Jacques Kallis, and Sunil Narine. The victory marked a significant milestone for KKR as they clinched their first IPL title.