The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai hosted the much-anticipated IPL 2018 final between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad on a Super Sunday (May 27).
CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and invited SRH to bat first. Hyderabad rode on their captain Kane Williamson’s measured knock (47 runs off 36 balls) and Yusuf Pathan’s blazing cameo (45 runs off 25 balls) to put up 178/6 in 20 overs. Carlos Brathwaite also played a valuable innings of 21 runs in just 11 balls at the last juncture.
Chasing a stiff target in a big final, CSK needed a solid start from their openers. However, they couldn’t get one as the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma conceded only 16 runs in the first 4 overs besides the latter claiming the prized scalp of Faf du Plessis on 10.
The SRH camp must be heaving a sigh of relief after an awesome start with the ball. But little did they know that the experienced pair of Shane Watson and Suresh Raina would blow their hopes in the subsequent overs. Such was their domination that the duo added 117 runs in just 57 balls for the second wicket to almost seal the deal for Chennai.
Shane Watson completed the 4th century of his IPL career, as he became only the second batsman to score a hundred in an IPL Final. Ambati Rayudu added the finishing touch as Chennai Super Kings joined Mumbai Indians to become the only teams to win the title thrice.
Here are some of the best tweets post CSK's win:
Congratulations to @msdhoni and @ChennaiIPL for winning the 2018 @IPL the two best teams got the finals but the best team won.
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) May 27, 2018
An unbeaten century in a successful run chase of a T20 final. Sensational Watson. And a timely reminder of the fact that #SRH conceded 4 centuries this season....arguably the best bowling line-up? #CSKvSRH #IPLFinal
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 27, 2018
Winner winner #whistlepodu dinner!!! @ChennaiIPL
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) May 27, 2018
Entire family got together for the big #IPL2018Final. While we may have not been there at the Wankhede physically, we were there in spirit. The feeling and the celebrations are similar to the ones there. Incredible @ChennaiIPL ????#CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/O5uHYI4WXf
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) May 27, 2018
Congratulations csk boy's well done and we'll played @ShaneRWatson33 @circleofcricket @DelhiDaredevils @BCCI @ESPNcricinfo @mipaltan @ChennaiIPL @rajasthanroyals @KKRiders @lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/etU4I1WBxi
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) May 27, 2018
What a great knock to finish off the IPL @ShaneRWatson33 . Congratulations @ChennaiIPL well deserved win !#IPL2018Final
— Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) May 27, 2018
Having not played for 2 years, @ChennaiIPL do it in style. New heroes in every victory and prove again that no substitute for experience. Champion team and a massive victory #IPL2018Final
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 27, 2018
That's got to be the best knock in the #IPLfinal history surely? @SunRisers have been the team to beat throughout the tournament and they can be extremely proud.Sometimes you can't do anything when an individual plays like that.Hats off #shanewatson and well deserved @ChennaiIPL
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) May 27, 2018
Congratulations Chennai Superkings on becoming deserving champions of the biggest T20 tournament in the world. Brilliant throughout the tournament and the wonderful people from Chennai and whole of TN deserve this @ChennaiIPL . #IPL2018Final
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 27, 2018
Former champions really played like champions throughout the season. Congratulations @ChennaiIPL and @msdhoni for yet another IPL trophy. Surely the best T20 team in the world! #CSKvSRH #IPL2018Final
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) May 27, 2018
Congrats to @ChennaiIPL what a knock @ShaneRWatson33 Great game of cricket @SunRisers ????????????
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) May 27, 2018