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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the joint-most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have won five IPL titles, all of them under MS Dhoni’s astute leadership. Their last title win came in 2023, and since then, the Men in Yellow have failed to make it to the playoffs. This year, they finished eighth, winning six and losing eight. On May 27, CSK celebrated eight years of their third IPL triumph. This was an important win in their rich history as it came in their first season after a two-year suspension.
CSK were suspended after IPL 2015 due to the involvement of its owners in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting case. The Rajasthan Royals were the other team slapped with a two-season ban.
There was a different level of excitement when CSK returned to the IPL in 2018. They had a terrific campaign in the round-robin phase of the tournament, winning nine matches and losing just five. CSK finished second on the points table, only behind the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on net run rate. Chennai won Qualifier 1, which was a low-scoring affair at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, by two wickets against a strong SRH side. The Orange Army took the longer route to the final, beating the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens by 14 runs to meet CSK again in the summit clash.
On May 27, at the Wankhede Stadium, the Sunrisers batted first and posted a competitive total of 178/6 in their 20 overs. Skipper Kane Williamson top-scored with a 36-ball 47. Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 1/26 in four overs.
In reply, CSK lost the wicket of Faf du Plessis early in the fourth over, with only 16 runs on the board. However, his fellow opener Shane Watson didn’t flinch. Suresh Raina gave the Australian all-rounder great support, scoring 32 runs in a match-winning 117-run partnership off 57 balls. After Raina was dismissed, Ambati Rayudu walked out to the middle and played a patient 16-run knock off 19 balls. However, Watson deservedly hogged the limelight, finishing unbeaten on 117 off 57 balls. He belted 11 fours and eight sixes, finishing with a magnificent strike rate of 205.26.
It is important to note that Watson failed to open his account after the first 10 balls he faced. Watson also had to deal with a bleeding knee during his knock, sustaining the injury while putting in a dive. He showed surreal grit and determination, and eventually needed six stitches for his lion-hearted effort. CSK won the match with eight wickets and nine balls to spare, and Watson was fittingly adjudged Player of the Match. He became the second centurion in an IPL final after Wriddhiman Saha in IPL 2014.
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