Seven finals in nine attempts, Chennai Super Kings sure know how to handle the big stage. Coming into the 2018 Indian Premier League with a bruised ego due to the ignominy of a two-year suspension, the seasoned warriors proved they retain the same aura of invincibility that made them the most successful team in the first eight editions.
Completing a fairytale script, the yellow brigade dismissed the challenge of Sunrisers Hyderabad to lift the IPL title for the third time, cantering to an eight-wicket win, eating up the target of 179 in just 18.3 overs.
They effectively won in 16.3 overs as SRH bowled two maiden overs.
Cheered on by a sea of yellow at the Wankhede Stadium, Shane Watson chose the occasion to put on a show. As if to prove a point on behalf of his veteran teammates against critics who had dismissed CSK as Dad’s Army for picking quite a few in the 30-plus age bracket, the 36-year-old burly opener smashed an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls (11 fours and eight sixes).
LULL BEFORE STORM
The Sunrisers opening bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma, began well, exerting early pressure by snaking the ball around on the lively track. Watson was clueless in that period, taking 11 balls to get off the mark. But that was the only period of positive play for SRH as it proved to be the lull before the storm.
The powerplay overs done with, Watson lifted his game into a different zone to make it a no-contest.
He exposed the lack of pace of SRH bowlers. Siddarth Kaul, hero of the win over Kolkata Knight Riders, bore the brunt, conceding 43 runs in three overs.
It is not every day that Suresh Raina, highest run-getter in IPL history, gets eclipsed. On Sunday, he was left to play second fiddle as Watson traded in sixes. In their 117-run second wicket partnership, Watson’s contribution was 82 off 33 balls, Raina’s 32 off 24 balls.