Highlights, IPL 2018 Final, CSK vs SRH at Mumbai: Shane Watson hundred drives Chennai Super Kings to third crown

Our correspondents Jigar Mehta and Devdutt Kshirsagar from outside the Wankhede stadium discuss Chennai Super Kings’ 8-wicket romp over Sunrisers Hyderabad to claim their third IPL title.

MS Dhoni lifts the trophy for the third time! 

MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings captain: By the time you reach the finals, everybody knows their roles. You push your bowlers as less runs as possible, for us to chase less runs. We actually know what their (SRH) batting style is. Good that we didn’t lose too many wickets in the first half. They have a mystery bowler in Rashid. What we have to keep in mind is that Bhuvi is equally good. I thought it was a very good batting effort. At the start we thought we have to get things moving. But at the same time, we had the firepower. (Bravo) He keeps doing it on his own. With Faf playing, we had to shuffle around our order. If both (Faf and Rayudu) of them are playing, it’s better if Faf opens. Very difficult to recall, and I feel every win is special. A lot of people talk about facts, statistics. My jersey number is seven, and this is the seventh win for CSK. I think we talked a lot about age, but what is more important is the fitness aspect. Rayudu is 33, but is fit. He is not somebody who will turn up stiff. It’s fitness that matters more than the age. Most captains want players who move on the field. We knew the shortcomings that we had. What was important was to accept that these are the areas we have to catch up on. They have to commit themselves to stop the singles, but no point in getting injured to save the single. No plans as of now. We are going to Chennai tomorrow, and that’s what the plan was irrespective of the result. We’ll have some fun, and a get-together in the hotel.

Stephen Fleming, CSK coach: I don’t know. Each year has been different. We were lucky to have the core of the team. We just hope big players at the big stage come through.  He handles me. Case of providing support. Makes sure the environment good and the culture is good. Good communication and a lot of trust. Nice relationship to have.

Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain: We though it would be a very competitive total. We thought it was a good surface. For a large part, I thought we were going okay. Hats off (to) Shane Watson. They (CSK) were outstanding. We played some very good cricket. They are deserved winners. Great bunch of guys. Was a very good season. Fought hard tonight, but it (victory) wasn’t to be. Ashamed not to get across the line, but a lot of positives. Obviously it’s a balance, and every team’s trying to find that balance. I’ve got great assets to have. But it’s a challenge to get that ballance. It does come down to the commitment of the guys in their respective roles. When we look back, I suppose you look at a couple of small moments. It’s probably something I enjoyed. It was nice to contribute to the team. You’ve been given a role, and you’re trying to adopt to the role the best you can. In terms of captaincy, there were a number of other leaders in the group, and they all contributed.

Players of the Tournament awards in each IPL season:

2008 – Shane Watson
2009 – Adam Gilchrist
2010 – Sachin Tendulkar
2011 – Chris Gayle
2012 – Sunil Narine
2013 – Shane Watson 
2014 – Glenn Maxwell
2015 – Andre Russell
2016 – Virat Kohli
2017 – Ben Stokes 
2018 – Sunil Narine

Tom Moody, Sunrisers Hyderabad coach: I needed to see, and I saw something pretty special. Shane Watson’s innings was out of the box. We had a competitive total, and needed something special. I think it’s been very good. We had a few setbacks early on with certain players not available. It’s a reflection of how strong the tournament is. He’s been wonderful. Kane’s just shown the cricketing world he’s a three-dimensional cricketer. We’re very fortunate to have someone like Kane in our squad, and he did a wonderful job. I don’t think he’s got body parts. The cricketing world’s falling in love with him. He’s a special guy and a special cricketer.

Sunrisers Hyderabad collects the Runners Up award. Coach Tom Moody walks up to the stage to receive it.

Time for the umpires and match officials officiating in the final to get felicitated.

The Most Valuable Player award goes to KKR’s Sunil Narine — his second award of the evening.

Orange Cap winners in each season of IPL:

2008 – Shaun Marsh

2009 – Matthew Hayden

2010 – Sachin Tendulkar

2011 – Chris Gayle

2012 – Chris Gayle

2013 – Michael Hussey

2014 -Robin Uthappa

2015 – David Warner

2016 – Virat Kohli

2017 – David Warner

2018 – Kane Williamson

The Orange Cap will rest on the head of Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson.

The Purple Cap goes to Kings XI Punjab’s Andrew Tye.

Purple cap winners in each season of IPL:

2008 – Sohail Tanvir

2009 – RP Singh

2010 – Pragyan Ojha

2011 – Lasith Malinga

2012 – Morne Morkel

2013 – Dwayne Bravo

2014 – Mohit Sharma

2015 – Dwayne Bravo

2016 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar

2017 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar

2018 – Andrew Tye

The Most Stylish Player award goes to DD’s Rishabh Pant — his second of the evening!

The award for the Most Innovative Thinking goes to Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni.

Super Sixes award goes for Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine.

Pitch and Ground award (for venues with less than seven matches) — PCA Stadium, Mohali.

Pitch and Ground award (for venues with more than seven matches) — Eden Gardens.

Catch of the Season award goes to Trent Boult for that sensational catch at deep backward square-leg to dismiss Virat Kohli at Chinnaswamy!

IPL Fairplay Award for this season goes to Mumbai Indians!

Rishabh Pant wins the IPL 2018 Emerging Player award! 

“When you play a lot of matches in the IPL, you gain confidence. This season I have changed something. Last season I was looking to hit everything. This season I was looking to play normally,” says Delhi Daredevils keeper-batsman Pant.

Shane Watson: It has been a special seaon to be honest. It has been incredible. things fell at me nicely. The win means so much to the franchise. After the first 10 balls, I was hoping I would be able to catch up before getting out. I am glad I got an opportunity to catch up. Once the ball stopped swinging it made it easy to bat. Feels great that I don’t have to play for next 3-4 months. Good to have Stephen Flemming and MS Dhoni looking after me.

Shane Watson: Big Match Player!

Player of the Series – IPL 2008

Player of the Series – IPL 2013

Player of the Match – IPL 2018

Man of the Match awards in IPL finals:

2008 – Yusuf Pathan

2009 – Anil Kumble

2010 – Suresh Raina

2011 – Murali Vijay

2012 – Manvinder Bisla

2013 – Kieron Pollard

2014 – Manish Pandey

2015 – Rohit Sharma

2016 – Ben Cutting

2017 – Krunal Pandya

2018 –  Shane Watson

Shane Watson wins the Man of the Match award for his sensational 117 not out off 57 balls!

Alright then! The stage is set for the presentation ceremony to commence, and presenter Simon Doull is underway with the series of awards.

Karn Sharma in last three IPLs

Part of 2016 IPL winners SRH

Part of 2017 IPL winners MI

Part of 2018 IPL winners CSK

CSK’s position in each IPL season:

2008 – Runner-up

2009 – Semi-final

2010 – Winner

2011 – Winner

2012 – Runner-up

2013 – Runner-up

2014 – Third

2015 – Runner-up

2018 – Winner*

Watson took Chennai home!

“Elementary my dear Watson!” Just hit the ball harder and further than anybody else in the @IPL Final. @ShaneRWatson33 #IPL

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) May 27, 2018

This is MS Dhoni’s 150th win as a captain in T20 cricket. No other captain has won more than 100 matches. The next best in the list is 98 by Gautam Gambhir.

Watto, was all class today!

That’s only the 2nd hundred in an IPL final. To get it in 51 balls after being scoreless for the first ten balls is sensational

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) May 27, 2018

A disappointing end to what was an excellent campaign for Sunrisers Hyderabad. They lost momentum in the latter stages of the tournament and that cosy them this title. Nevertheless, they can held their heads high. They made this far without their talisman David Warner which kind of shows how this team doesn’t rely on individuals. Williamson ends with the Orange Cap; who would have thought? The title though would have pleased him more. Now the question is: when Warner returns next year, who will captain the side?

Love for MSD!

The legend of @msdhoni grows a few more notches further. What a great IPL season he's had, as batsman and captain!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 27, 2018

Winners in each season of IPL:

2008 – RR

2009 – DC

2010 – CSK

2011 – CSK

2012 – KKR

2013 – MI

2014 – KKR

2015 – MI

2016 – SRH

2017 – MI

2018 – CSK

Runners-up in each season of IPL:

2008 – CSK

2009 – RCB

2010 – MI

2011 – RCB

2012 – CSK 

2013 – CSK

2014 – KXIP

2015 – CSK

2016 – RCB

2017 – RPS

2018 – SRH

Targets chased in IPL finals successfully:

200 – KKR v KXIP, Bangalore, 2014

179 – CSK v SRH, Mumbai, 2018*

191 – KKR v CSK, Chennai, 2012

164 – RR v CSK, Mumbai, 2008

Players to be part of most winning IPL finals:

4 – Rohit Sharma (2009, 2013, 2015, 2017)
4 – Ambati Rayudu (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018)*

CSK become the first team to beat a particular opposition four times in an IPL season. They defeated SRH four times in IPL 2018.

Captains to win most IPL finals:

3 – Rohit Sharma (2013, 2015, 2017)

3 – MS Dhoni (2010, 2011, 2018)

Rayudu finishes it off in style. The crowd has gone berserk, and the CSK dug out too, Chants of Dhoni…Dhoni echo. What a return for CSK. In some style.

After 18.3 overs,Chennai Super Kings 181/2 ( Shane Watson 117 , Ambati Rayudu 16)

Brathwaite returns to the attack, and bowls what turns out to be the final over of the tournament. Rayudu blocks out a couple of deliveries, before crunching the ball through the off side to hit the winning boundary guiding Chennai home with eight wickets and nine balls to spare! The CSK contingent rush out to the ground to celebrate, all except MS Dhoni, who continues to lurk in the background with a neutral expression on his face. 

What a comeback this has been from Chennai Super Kings! Returning after a two-year suspension, with their fans travelling to all parts of the country following Chepauk’s loss of their home games, this has been an absolute fairytale from MS Dhoni’s men!

FOUR! Rayudu hits the winning shot! CHENNAI SUPER KINGS WIN IPL 2018! MS Dhoni lifts the trophy for a third time, as the Super Kings draw level with Mumbai Indians for the most successful side in IPL history! CSK 181/2

After 18 overs,Chennai Super Kings 177/2 ( Shane Watson 117 , Ambati Rayudu 12)

Kaul returns to the attack for his third over, with Watson smacking the ball down the ground off successive balls to bring CSK to within two runs of lifting the IPL trophy for a third time, with another two overs to go.

There are chants of “Khatam karo, khatam karo, isi over me khatam karo.”

FOUR! Another one smashed down the ground, as Watson collects back-to-back boundaries! CSK 177/2, need just two to win!

Two centuries in an IPL season:

Virat Kohli (4) in 2016
Chris Gayle in 2011
Hashim Amla in 2017
Shane Watson in 2018*

Hyderabad fans are leaving. A sea of yellow in the stadium. They all are standing in anticipation of their third title and chanting ‘Dhoni, Dhoni’. They want to see him play. Don’t think that would be possible. Williamson has played all the possible cards and no one could give him a wicket. It’s been that sort a chase from CSK…

FOUR! Smashed down the ground like a rocket! Brute power from Watson! CSK 173/2

Siddharth Kaul, who has had a horror run with the ball so far in the IPL 2018 final, returns to the attack.

Shane Watson today:

First 25 balls – 28 runs (SR – 112.00)
Next 26 balls – 72 runs (SR – 276.92)

After 17 overs,Chennai Super Kings 166/2 ( Shane Watson 108 , Ambati Rayudu 10)

Rashid bowls out his final over, with Watson collecting a single to bring up his second century of IPL 2018. The Australian celebrates by raising his arms, and follows it up with back-to-back boundaries to guide CSK to the brink of their third IPL trophy. CSK need 13 to win off 18 balls.

Players to score a century in a T20 tournament final:

Chris Gayle, 2017
Wriddhiman Saha, 2014
Jake Weatherald, 2018
Suresh Raina, 2014
Brad Hodge, 2006
Shane Watson, 2018*

FOUR! Slog-swept by Watson towards the backward square-leg fence, where the ball passes under the diving fielder! CSK 166/2

Most centuries in IPL:

6 – Chris Gayle
4 – Virat Kohli, Shane Watson
3 – David Warner, AB de Villiers

Sensational innings from Watson. He struggled to get going at the start but kept his cool. Applied himself at the crease. Took singles and twos, paced the innings well and when the opportunity arrived, he just went berserk. The crowd was fully behind him and has enjoyed this innings to the core. It’s a lesson in how to construct a T20 innings. This one will go down as one of the best in the history of IPL.

FOUR! Watson shuffles to his right, and paddles the ball towards the fine-leg fence for a boundary! CSK 162/2

Players to score a century in IPL final:

Wriddhiman Saha for KXIP v KKR, Bangalore, 2014

Shane Watson for CSK v SRH, Mumbai, 2018

CENTURY FOR SHANE WATSON! Who would’ve though, especially after that horrid start! Takes 51 balls to bring up his second ton of IPL 2018, and his third overall! Collects a single off Rashid to get to the milestone. Raises his arms to celebrate the century in style! CSK 156/2

After 16 overs,Chennai Super Kings 154/2 ( Shane Watson 98 , Ambati Rayudu 8)

Bhuvi returns to the attack. Rayudu decides to join the party, shuffling down the track and smacking the ball over wide long off for a six. Single collected off each of the last two deliveries. CSK needed 25 off 24 balls.

SIX! Rayudu shuffles down the pitch, and carves the ball over the wide long off fence, collecting his first six in the process! Looks like a cakewalk for CSK now! CSK 152/2

Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought back into the attack. This should be an interesting passage of play.

Watson nearing his ton, the SRH players have e for together in strategic timeout, they need wickets and CSK need to be sensible. Rayudu and Watson has a long chat in that timeout.

After 15 overs,Chennai Super Kings 146/2 ( Shane Watson 97 , Ambati Rayudu 1)

Rashid is brought back into the attack in the 15th over, and bowls an excellent over, giving away just one off it in stark contrast to the ones before this one. Appeal for lbw off the penultimate delivery, with SRH losing their review while going upstairs. Leg-bye collected off the last ball, preventing the over from going as a maiden. The umpire signals for the second timeout. CSK need 33 to win off 30 balls.

Rashid Khan brought back into the attack for his third over.

After 14 overs,Chennai Super Kings 145/2 ( Shane Watson 97 , Ambati Rayudu 1)

Brathwaite into his second over, and he succeeds in breaking the second-wicket stand as Raina is caught behind off a short ball to depart for 32. Watson, though, continues to smash the ball all over the park, collecting a four and a six off the last two deliveries, which are separated by a wide. 14 off the over. CSK need 34 off 36 balls.

Ambati Rayudu won Man of the Match award in both the league games against SRH this season.

SIX! Another swing of the bat by Watson, and he smashes this over the midwicket fence for his eighth six! Moves to 97 with that shot! CSK 145/2

FOUR! There’s no stopping Watson though, as he guides the ball towards the third man fence, beating the fielder stationed inside the circle! CSK 138/2

Raina and the short ball, still a better love affair than Twilight. But he played his part. Watson needs to stay till the end now and take them through. Just need sensible cricket.

OUT! Brathwaite finally ends the runaway second-wicket stand, getting Raina caught behind with a short ball. The southpaw couldn’t quite adjust to the short ball, getting a faint contact off his glove. The appeal for caught-behind was initially turned down, with Williamson going for the review, and celebrating with his teammates in the end. CSK 133/2

Raina c Goswami b Brathwaite 32(24)

After 13 overs,Chennai Super Kings 131/1 ( Shane Watson 86 , Suresh Raina 31)

Sandeep’s brought back into the attack, and he ends up bowling what could be a match-defining over, as Watson decides to berserk with the bat, smashing three sixes and two fours to go with a wide, as 27 runs are collected off the over. Watson might be facing difficulty in running between the wickets, and he appears to have made up for it with some clean hitting! CSK need 48 to win off 42.

Watson is in the mood now. He has played really well, was patient to start off, took his chances, and is now opening up to demoralise the SRH bowlers. The entire Wankhede is going Watson….Watson. The crowd is enjoying this. Watson has turned the game around in this over.  It’s CSK’s game to lose now. What an assault from Watson.

FOUR! This could very well turn out to be the over that could define the match! Watson steers the ball between backward point and short third man to bring to an end a nightmarish over for Sandeep. CSK 131/1

SIX! Another one down the ground! Watson might be in slight discomfort physically right now, but he’s decided to unleash the beast within him! A hat-trick of sixes for the Aussie! CSK 126/1

Shane Watson has gone ballistic. Tom Moody and Kane Williamson discussing tactics near the boundary. It was for just one ball and Kane sent Brathwaite back to long on. It hasn’t helped much as Watson has slammed three consecutive sixes. Scenes at the Wankhede. This match is slipping away from SRH and how!

SIX! Full toss from Sandeep, and Watto deposits this one into the stands beyond the midwicket fence! And that brings up the century-stand between Watson and Raina! CSK 120/1

SIX! “THWACK” comes the sound of leather meeting willow, as the ball sails over long on! CSK 114/1

FOUR! Carved over extra cover by Watson! CSK 108/1

Sandeep Sharma returns to the attack for his final over.

After 12 overs,Chennai Super Kings 104/1 ( Shane Watson 60 , Suresh Raina 31)

Brathwaite’s introduced into the attack in the 12th over. Singles collected off each of the first four deliveries, with Watson appearing to suffer a niggle on the third. Watson muscles a back-of-length slower ball from Brathwaite towards the midwicket fence for a four off the penultimate ball, and keeps the strike for the following over with a single off the last delivery. Nine off the over. CSK need 75 to win off 48 balls.

This is good calculated hitting from Raina and Watson. Not going for anything extraordinary, capitalising on the loose balls and punishing them. This partnership has started to look threatening.

FOUR! Muscled away towards the midwicket boundary by Watson off Brathwaite! The Australian had just appeared to have suffered a muscle pull, but that doesn’t deter him from keeping the RRR under check with boundaries. CSK 103/1

Carlos Brathwaite introduced into the attack in the 12th over of the innings.

After 11 overs,Chennai Super Kings 95/1 ( Shane Watson 53 , Suresh Raina 29)

Watson brings up his half-century in style with a six off the first ball of the over, taking 33 balls to do so. Three singles off the next four deliveries, before Raina ends the over with a six, lofting the ball down the ground with a straight bat. 15 off Shakib’s first over. CSK need 84 off 54 balls.

It’s raining boundaries at the Wankhede. Chennai have been unstoppable after the powerplay. They have been intelligent and not attacked Rashid. Williamson needs to make some changes. Try something new and end this stand.

SIX! Raina lofts this one down the ground with a straight bat, and the camera captures the ball sailing beyond the long on fence, right next to a gloomy-looking SRH dugout. CSK 95/1

This is Shakib Al Hasan’s most successful IPL season with the ball. He has taken 14 wickets. He took 12 wickets in 2012 while playing for KKR.

SIX! Watson rocks back to the slightly short-of-length ball from Shakib, and heaves it over the square-leg fence to bring up his half-century in style, taking 33 deliveries to do so. CSK 86/1

Shakib Al Hasan brought into the attack in the 11th over.

After 10 overs,Chennai Super Kings 80/1 ( Shane Watson 45 , Suresh Raina 22)

Rashid bowls from the other end, with Watson and Raina maintaining their cautious approach to the Afghan spinner. Four singles are collected off the first five deliveries, before Raina guides the ball towards fine-leg off a sweep. At the halfway stage of their innings, the game is very much in the balance with Chennai needing 99 off 60 with nine wickets in hand.

FOUR! Rashid ends up conceding his first boundary, as Raina gets a faint touch on his bat while going for a sweep, sending the ball towards the fine-leg fence. CSK 80/1

CSK’s intention seemed clear there, go after Kaul. They are looking to be cautious against Rashid and targeting others.  Don’t be surprised if CSK deal in singles and twos against Rashid. CSK CSK rings inside the stadium after they got some momentum.

After 9 overs,Chennai Super Kings 72/1 ( Shane Watson 43 , Suresh Raina 16)

Kaul continues from the other end, and his nightmare continues. Starts off by conceding a single off each of the first two deliveries. Watson though, continues to target him, smacking him for a six and a four, while getting a couple of doubles. 16 off the over, and the fifty-partnership’s up between Watson and Raina.

FOUR! Short and wide from Kaul, and Watson stretches his arms out and smacks it down the ground for another boundary! CSK 70/1

FIFTY partnership up between Watson and Raina, with the former going for a lofted drive that nearly results in a catch for Rashid at deep extra-cover. Watson gets enough time to come back for a second. CSK 66/1

SIX! Watson continues to target Kaul, heaving him down the ground and getting enough distance to clear long on! CSK 64/1

Rashid Khan has taken two or more wickets 10 times in IPL and his team has won 80% of those matches.

After 8 overs,Chennai Super Kings 56/1 ( Shane Watson 28 , Suresh Raina 15)

Rashid is brought into the attack in the eighth over, and both Watson and Rashid decide against attacking him. Five runs are collected off the over, with one coming off a leg bye. The umpire signals for the first timeout of the innings at the end of the over. After the slow start, the last three overs have brought CSK back on their feet.

Rashid Khan is the only frontline overseas bowler to win four Man of the Match awards in an IPL season.

Rashid Khan is the only overseas leg-spinner to take 20-plus wickets in an IPL season. The previous highest was 19 by Shane Warne in 2008.

Rashid Khan is the only bowler to take 100-plus wickets in T20 cricket since 2017. He has taken 118 wickets from 82 T20s. The next best during the same period is 89 by Sunil Narine from 89 T20s.

CSK slightly got the momentum in that over. Kaul was too short and legsidsh and was punished by Watson and Raina. Williamson went straight over to Kaul to have a word and then pat him on the back. Rashid into the attack. A crucial moment in this game. CSK need to be positive as well as sensible here.

Alright then. Kane Williamson has decided to deploy Rashid Khan in the eighth over!

After 7 overs,Chennai Super Kings 51/1 ( Shane Watson 26 , Suresh Raina 13)

Kaul is brought into the attack in the seventh over of the innings, and he couldn’t have had a more nightmarish start. While Watson flicks a full delivery along leg over the square-leg fence for a six, Raina gets going towards the end of the over, collecting two fours off three deliveries — both going towards the fine-leg fence. 16 off the over.

Kaul is into the attack. The bowling captain and SRH vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is stationed at mid off, has had a quieter word with the Punjab seamer. In all likelihood, Kaul and Shakib will be the bowlers who Chennai will attack. Minimising that damage is what Kaul should look to do.

FOUR! Once again guided towards the fine-leg fence by Raina, although this one’s not as close to the body, and Raina extends his arms a bit more in the pull. CSK 51/1

FOUR! Quintessential Raina, hooking a short ball from Kaul towards the fine-leg fence, where the running fielder fails to cut the ball off. CSK 47/1

SIX! What a shot! Watson simply uses the pace on the ball, bringing out a flick that guides the ball over the square-leg fence! CSK 42/1

Siddharth Kaul brought into the attack in the first over after Powerplay.

CSK’s scores in powerplay overs in the last three matches:

33/3 v KXIP, Pune
33/3 v SRH, Mumbai
35/1 v SRH, Mumbai

After 6 overs,Chennai Super Kings 35/1 ( Shane Watson 19 , Suresh Raina 4)

Sandeep bowls the last over of Powerplay. Watson hammers the ball towards midwicket, where Rashid sticks his left hand out in the last second to save three runs for his side. Watson, though, finally gains some confidence with a six and a four off successive deliveries, smashing the ball over the midwicket fence and down the ground respectively. Quick singles off the last two deliveries. 15 runs off the over, with CSK starting to make amends for a painfully slow start.

Watson seems to have finally gotten into the groove somewhat. A six and a four off the middle might have injected a lot of confidence. Still, not the best powerplay for CSK, they would have looked to build the pressure on bowlers straightaway.

FOUR! This time Watson decides to hammer the ball down the ground, guiding it over mid off! CSK 33/1

SIX! Muscled over the midwicket fence by Watson, and that should do his confidence a world of good! CSK 29/1

Suresh Raina has scored 209 runs at an average of 41.80 and a strike rate of 163.28 in IPL finals – the most by any player. He has to step up today.

After 5 overs,Chennai Super Kings 21/1 ( Shane Watson 7 , Suresh Raina 2)

Bhuvneshwar continues from the other end, and walks away with another fine over, giving away just four singles off it. Raina, the new batter at the crease, is off the mark in the meantime.

The pressure got to Du Plessis, too many dot balls, very little connection off the middle. Du Plessis’ patience didn’t last long and he departed trying to go over the top. CSK need to make sure they don’t go into a shell.

After 4 overs,Chennai Super Kings 16/1 ( Shane Watson 5 , )

Watson finally gets off the mark, drilling a full delivery from Sandeep down the ground for four, taking 11 deliveries to do so. Sandeep though, is celebrating at the end of the over, collecting a simple return chance to dismiss du Plessis. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Du Plessis lobs the ball high up in the air off a slower ball from Sandeep, and ends up offering an easy return catch! No heroics from the South African today! CSK 16/1

Du Plessis c and b Sandeep 10(11)

FOUR! Watson’s finally off the mark after 10 dot balls! Hammers a full delivery from Sandeep down the ground! CSK 15/0

Two exceptional overs from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Hyderabad should be avoiding to make silly errors and Deepak Hooda did just that with an unnecessary throw. Despite that only five came off 12 balls. While SRH must be pleased with that but what that essentially does is that Chennai will now have to attack Rashid. The Afghanistan leggie won’t mind that.

After 3 overs,Chennai Super Kings 10/0 ( Shane Watson 0 , Faf du Plessis 10)

Bhuvneshwar continues from the other end, and continues with his tight lines, stretching his dot-ball count to 10, before a single, followed by four overthrows, marks the first runs off his bat. Five off the over.

After 2 overs,Chennai Super Kings 5/0 ( Shane Watson 0 , Faf du Plessis 5)

Sandeep bowls from the other end, with Faf du Plessis getting his side off the mark with a boundary off a well-timed punch through extra cover. The South African collects a single off the fourth delivery. Five off the over.

CSK lost 16 wickets in the powerplay overs during the league stage matches – the least by any team.

FOUR! Slightly short from Sandeep, and this one’s crunched through extra-cover by Faf! First runs on the board for CSK! CSK 4/0

Sandeep Sharma bowls the second over of the CSK innings.

CSK’s scoring rate of 8.92 in this IPL – the second best among all the teams.

After 1 overs,Chennai Super Kings 0/0 ( Shane Watson 0 , Faf du Plessis 0)

Bhuvneshwar bowls the first over of the CSK innings, with Watson failing to score throughout the over. While a fine piece of fielding by the man at point prevent Watto from getting off the mark off the fourth delivery, the Aussie is beaten fair and square off the final ball of the over, with the jaffa from Bhuvi moving away from the batter a tad late.

SRH’s economy rate of 7.89 in this IPL – the best among all the sides.

Shane Watson’s scores in IPL finals: 

28 for RR v CSK, Mumbai, 2008
11 for RCB v SRH, Bangalore, 2016

Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis walk out at the start of the Chennai Super Kings innings, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling the first over.

First innings in a nutshell

Not a bad total this, especially for Sunrisers bowlers, who have defended the lowest score of IPL on Indian soil at this particular venue. Can’t repeat the mistakes they made during the first qualifier

Targets chased in IPL finals successfully:

200 – KKR v KXIP, Bangalore, 2014
191 – KKR v CSK, Chennai, 2012
164 – RR v CSK, Mumbai, 2008

Yusuf Pathan this IPL:

Against CSK: 114 runs (3 innings)
Against all other oppositions combined: 146 runs (10 innings)

Not the first time that Yusuf Pathan has played a vital innings in an IPL final. Considering the innings that he played, SRH should’ve crossed 180 but don’t think they would be too disappointed with 178. They love defending and their bowlers have a lot to bowl at. Should be an interesting chase.

SRH today:

1-6 overs: 42/1 (RR – 7.00)
7-15 overs: 84/2 (RR – 9.33)
16-20 overs: 52/3 (RR – 10.40)

After 20 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 178/6 ( Yusuf Pathan 45 , )

Thakur bowls the final over. Pathan collects a double off the first delivery after guiding the ball towards the leg side. Wide off the next ball. Brathwaite survives a run-out chance after running halfway down the track, with Thakur deciding against throwing it at the non-striker’s end. Brathwaite misses a slower ball off the fourth delivery, before smacking the ball down the ground for a six off the fifth. The West Indian tries finishing things off in style with a big hit, but is caught by Rayudu at cow-corner. 10 runs and a wicket off the last over. 

Chennai Super Kings need 179 to win from 20 overs.

Late charge from Yusuf Pathan has propelled SRH to a competitive total. But they might be 10-15 short. The track is getting a bit slower and it will again be a test of their bowling attack to defend slightly below average total.

OUT! Brathwaite’s caught at cow-corner off the last delivery of the innings while looking to finish things in style, as SRH finish on a score of 178/6 from 20 overs! 

Brathwaite c Rayudu b Thakur 21(11)

SIX! Smacked down the ground by Brathwaite off a short ball, and the fielder at long on can do little to put it back inside the playing area. SRH 178/5

Shardul Thakur returns to the attack for the final over of the innings.

After 19 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 168/5 ( Yusuf Pathan 42 , Carlos Brathwaite 15)

Ngidi starts the penultimate over off with a couple of sharp deliveries to Brathwaite. Singles collected off the second and third deliveries. Ngidi exhibits some class death-bowling in the next two deliveries, as Brathwaite fails to connect off either. The burly West Indian though, ends the over with a six over the wide long-on fence, causing Ngidi to let out a cry of frustration over a perfect-looking over getting ruined.

Dwayne Bravo becomes the first bowler to concede 45-plus runs twice in an IPL final. (2012 v KKR and 2018 v SRH)

SIX! Brathwaite finally connects off the last ball of the 19th over, heaving the ball over the wide long on fence, where the leaping fielder isn’t able to get his outstretched hand on the ball. SRH 168/5

A 12-year old, a CSK fan has high expectations from Brathwaite. He’s been chanting his name continuously. Quite energetic he’s been till now.

Who will bowl the 20th over? Here’s a suggestion

Watson for the 20th over please. Straightforward choice.

— Nitin Sundar🎙️✒️🎦 (@knittins) May 27, 2018

After 18 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 160/5 ( Yusuf Pathan 41 , Carlos Brathwaite 8)

Bravo into his final over, and he starts off by bowling two wides off three balls. Brathwaite decides to get off the mark in style, launching a slower ball from Bravo over long off for a six. Singles collected off the next three deliveries, with Pathan ending the over with a short-arm pull down the ground for a four. Bravo finishes with figures of 1/46, with 16 coming off his last over.

FOUR! Tennis shot from Pathan, as he brings his bottom hand into play to hammer the ball off a back-of-length delivery towards the long on fence, where the fielder running in can do little to prevent the boundary. SRH 160/5

Carlos Brathwaite’s SR in T20 cricket:

Career – 150.87
2018 – 136.84

Well, he has to play at this career SR today to help SRH to get as many as possible.

Ngidi has bowled a brilliant spell so far. He’s ramped good pace too. He gets Hooda. He has stuck to particular lengths, good or short of good lengths and that has brought him success.  SRH expected more from Hooda. But they have another big hitter in Brathwaite in the middle. Pathan and Brathwaite encore is all that SRH fans are hoping for right now.

SIX! Slower ball from Bravo, but picked superbly by Brathwaite nevertheless, as he smokes this one over long off for the first big hit of his innings! SRH 153/5

After 17 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 145/5 ( Yusuf Pathan 35 , Carlos Brathwaite 0)

Ngidi returns to the attack in the 17th over. Hooda and Pathan rotate the strike between themselves through singles off the first three deliveries, before Pathan launches the ball down the ground to collect his second six. Hooda tries flicking the ball behind square on the leg side, going aerial on the occasion, but getting caught by the substitute fielder instead. Brathwaite walks out to join Pathan, as SRH look for a few big hits towards the end of their innings.

OUT! Hooda doesn’t last long, as he flicks straight into the hands of the fielder at deep backward square-leg! Was a slower ball from Ngidi, one that the batter failed to read. SRH 144/5

Hooda c (sub) Shorey b Ngidi 3(4)

SIX! Slapped down the ground by Pathan, and such is the power in his arms that he ends up clearing the long on fence! SRH 143/4

Lungi Ngidi returns to the attack in the 17th over of the innings.

Lucky Bravo gets Shakib off a full toss and hence doesn’t celebrate. CSK must build pressure from here. Their death bowling has been a worry, in the group stage they have given away 60 plus runs in the death overs 5 times and that is something then need to keep in mind. Just try and choke the batsmen from here on.

After 16 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 134/4 ( Yusuf Pathan 27 , Deepak Hooda 1)

Bravo returns to the attack in the 16th over, and Pathan welcomes him back with a slash towards the extra-cover fence for a four. Pathan and Shakib rotate the strike between themselves over the next three deliveries, before the latter holes out to Raina at extra-cover to depart for 23. Eight runs and a wicket off the over, with new batter Hooda getting off the mark with a single off the first ball that he faces.

Most catches by fielders in IPL finals:

5 – SURESH RAINA*

4 – Ravindra Jadeja

3 – Michael Hussey, Kieron Pollard, Virat Kohli

Yusuf Pathan has started on the third gear. When that happens, the opposition more often than not leak 20-25 runs more than they would have liked. And Shakib has just gifted a sitter to cover. End of a threatening stand. Two Baroda boys at the crease right now…

OUT! Finally a wicket for Bravo after leaking runs all the way in his 2.5 overs so far! Shakib hits this one hard, but straight into the hands of Raina at extra-cover! The fielder wrings his hand in pain after the catch, for that seemed to have come off the middle of Shakib’s bat. Meanwhile, the umpire signals for the second timeout of the innings. SRH 133/4

Shakib c Raina b Bravo 23(15)

CSK conceded 60-plus runs five times in the death overs (16-20) during the league stage of IPL – 11 – the joint most times by any team along with KKR and RCB.

Time for Yusuf Pathan to prove his worth. He’s been a bits and pieces player in the IPL and this is his golden chance to show he is more than that. Shakib, meanwhile, holding one end tight, but it won’t be long before he goes an all-out attack. Meanwhile, the Wankhede crowds do the Mexican wave.

FOUR! Back-of-length along off from Bravo to start his third over with, and Pathan ends up slashing it towards the extra-cover fence to collect yet another boundary! SRH 130/3

Dwayne Bravo brought back into the attack in the 16th over.

Most runs in an IPL season:

973 – Virat Kohli, 2016
848 – David Warner, 2016
735 – KANE WILLIAMSON, 2018*
733 – Chris Gayle, 2012
733 – Michael Hussey, 2013

After 15 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 126/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 22 , Yusuf Pathan 21)

Karn into his third over. Starts off with a delivery pitched outside off that spins away sharply from the batsman. The next delivery’s not too different, but Pathan manages to muscle it over the extra-cover fence for a six. Close shave for Shakib off the fourth delivery after he misses while attempting a heave, as the ball travels close to his leg-stump, with the batsman also surviving a stumping chance. Nine off the over.

Most stumpings in IPL:

33 – MS DHONI*
32 – Robin Uthappa 
30 – Dinesh Karthik

SIX! Heaved over the extra-cover fence by Pathan, clearing the fence comfortably! Was a full delivery outside off from Karn, and Pathan infuses enough power into the slog! SRH 123/3

After 14 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 117/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 20 , Yusuf Pathan 14)

Thakur returns to the attack for the 14th over. Pathan collects his second boundary in this innings with some beautiful wristwork off the third delivery, cutting it towards the point boundary. Single collected off each of the remaining deliveries. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Length ball outside off, and Pathan beautifully whips it through point for his second boundary! SRH 114/3

Shardul Thakur brought back into the attack for the 14th over.

Yusuf Pathan in IPL finals with the bat:

56 (39) v CSK, Mumbai, 2008
1 (2) v CSK, Chepauk, 2012
36 (22) v KXIP, Bangalore, 2014

Karn Sharma, you beauty. SRH had picked up proper momentum for the first time in the match and Karn strikes at a perfect time, that too with the dismissal of the highest run scorer in the IPL. Williamson gone.  Lovely bowling, dragged it wide seeing Williamson dance down the track, the Kiwi couldn’t reach it and Dhoni is quick to dislodge the bails. The crowd has come to life here. The CSK fans have a majority.

After 13 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 108/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 18 , Yusuf Pathan 7)

Karn returns to the attack in the 13th over, and starts off with a wide — one that also gets Williamson stumped as he misses the ball after shuffling down the pitch. Yusuf Pathan walks out to bat next, and gets off the mark with a boundary, guiding the ball towards third man, before collecting a double off the fourth delivery. Seven runs and a wicket off the over.

Most runs conceded in an IPL season:

509 – Dwayne Bravo, 2018*
508 – Umesh Yadav, 2013
507 – Mitchell  McClenaghan, 2017

FOUR! Fine way for new batter Yusuf Pathan to get off the mark, opening the face of his bat and guiding the ball towards third man, where Ngidi puts in a brave dive, but fails to prevent the boundary. SRH 105/3

OUT! Karn returns to the attack, and gets rid of Williamson right away! The Hyderabad skipper shuffles down the pitch, and Karn decides to alter his line to put it out of the batter’s reach, with MSD doing the rest behind the stumps. Wonder how many runs that dismissal will cost for SRH! It is called a wide, by CSK will take that in exchange for Williamson’s wicket anyday. SRH 101/3

Williamson st Dhoni b Karn 47(36)

Karn Sharma returns to the attack for the 13th over.

After 12 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 101/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 47 , Shakib Al Hasan 18)

Bravo returns to the attack in the 12th over, only to get smacked for boundaries by Williamson off successive deliveries. Singles collected off the third and fourth deliveries bring up the 100 for Hyderabad. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Hammered towards the leg side this time, as Williamson pulls the ball towards the midwicket fence for a four! SRH 98/2

FOUR! Crunched through extra cover by Williamson! The SRH skipper has decided to go all guns blazing at this stage! SRH 94/2

Dwayne Bravo brought into the attack in the 12th over.

After 11 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 90/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 37 , Shakib Al Hasan 17)

Jadeja continues from the other end, and bowls an over that could force Dhoni to take him off the attack for now. Williamson shuffles down the track and gets a leading edge off the third delivery, with the ball landing anxiously close to Ngidi at short third man. Shakib then ends the over with a six and a four, with 17 coming off the over.

FOUR! Shakib once again targets the leg side, but this time gets a boundary as he smacks the ball towards the cow-corner fence, where the two converging fielders are unable to stop the ball. SRH 90/2

Chennai bowlers have ensured they have had the upper hand in the first half of the first innings

SIX! Shakib gets down on one knee, and smokes the ball over the cow-corner fence for a six! SRH 86/2

FOUR! Williamson gets a leading edge off a full delivery from Jadeja, with the ball landing anxiously close to Ngidi at short third man, before rolling away to the fence for a four. SRH 79/2

After 10 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 73/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Shakib Al Hasan 6)

Chahar ends his quota of overs with an economical three-run over, with Williamson and Shakib dealing only in singles in the over. The Dhawan-Williamson stand certainly has put SRH in a steady position at the halfway mark after a slow start.

Deepak Chahar brought back for what will be his final over.

After 9 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 70/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 30 , Shakib Al Hasan 5)

Jadeja’s introduced into the attack in the ninth over, with Dhawan collecting a single at the start of the over to bring up the fifty stand. Jadeja removes Dhawan with a quicker delivery, with the southpaw going for a heave and missing, getting his leg-stump rattled as a result. Shakib walks out to bat, and starts off with a boundary. Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Fine way for new batsman Shakib to get off the mark! Goes for the cut first up and beats Watson at short third man. A fielder tries cutting it off at the third man fence, but fails to do so. SRH 68/2

Who says left-arm bowlers can’t bowl against left-handers? A nothing shot from Shikhar Dhawan ends his stay at the crease. This match is evenly poised at the moment. Seems to be a 160-170 pitch.

The bowling change works for Dhoni, Jadeja straightaway removes Dhawan. CSK needed that to again put the pressure back as the two batsmen well looking to up the tempo. Dhoni’s big match player might have a crucial say tonight

Did You Know?

Six times Kane Williamson has top-scored for SRH in this IPL season out of 16 innings.

BOWLED EM! Jadeja breaks the dangerous-looking partnership! Fires a quicker delivery to the southpaw, with the ball holding its line. Dhawan misses, and gets his leg-stump rattled as a result. SRH 64/2

Dhawan b Jadeja 26(25)

Ravindra Jadeja in IPL – 11:

First 9 matches: Wickets – 3, Eco. – 8.6
Next 6 matches: Wickets – 7. Eco. – 6.0

The credit must go to CSK management and the skipper to show faith in him.

Shikhar Dhawan’s scores in IPL – 11:

April month: 78*, 45, 7, 0*, 5, 11, 6
May month: 33, 13, 92*, 79, 18, 50, 0, 34

He has got the much-needed start once again this month. Will he convert this into a big one? He is a big-match player.

FIFTY-STAND up between Dhawan and Williamson for the second wicket, with the former collecting a single to bring up the milestone! SRH 63/1