Whistle Podu time: Shane Watson dominates Sunrisers Hyderabad to lead Chennai Super Kings to third IPL title
Chennai Super Kings completed a fairytale comeback from disgrace to glory, clinching their third IPL title after imposing all-rounder Shane Watson single-handedly hammered SRH.
Chennai Super Kings completed a fairytale comeback from disgrace to glory, clinching their third IPL title after imposing all-rounder Shane Watson single-handedly hammered Sunrises Hyderabad into submission with a blazing hundred in the final here today.
Reinstated into the IPL after a two-year ban for their team management's role in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, CSK outplayed SRH by eight wickets in a high-pressure game. (Photo | PTI)
The Australian smashed as many as 11 fours and eight sixes en route to this second hundred of the season as CSK raced home in 18.3 overs. (Photo | PTI)
SRH had posted a challenging 178 for six courtesy Kane Willamson (47 off 36) and Yusuf Pathan (45* off 25). (Photo | AP)
The 36-year-old Watson, who previously won the title with Rajasthan Royals in the league's inaugural season in 2008, muscled his way to 50 in only 33 balls and then smashed Sandeep Sharma for 26 runs in the 13th over to make it a virtual no-contest.(Photo | PTI)
Such was Super Kings' domination over an otherwise formidable SRH that they beat the Willamson-led side four times in as many games this season. (Photo | AP)
The MS Dhoni-captained side had entered a seventh IPL final and their stellar campaign ended with a record-equalling third title, tying them up with Mumbai Indians. (Photo | PTI)
CSK kept a tight rein on the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen initially while also taking a wicket through a run-out. The first four overs saw only one boundary being hit, a turn to fine leg for four by Dhawan off Lungi Ngidi. Super Kings also struck an early blow when Shreevats Goswami was run out. (Photo | AP)
Skipper Kane Williamson, by now into the groove, drove and scooped Dwayne Bravo for a four and a six in the bowler's first over, and the 8th overall, to increase the run-rate further. (Photo | PTI)
However, he missed out on yet another fifty in a highly successful season as Sunrisers Hyderabad piled on a challenging score after a slow start. He struck Bravo for consecutive fours in the 12th over and was well in sight of his 9th 50 of the season when Dhoni brought back Sharma who lured him out with a wide ball and got him stumped him off the first ball of a new spell. (Photo | AP)
The other in-form CSK batsman, Ambati Raydu, hit the winning four that led to wild celebrations by the Yellow Army. (Photo | PTI)
