The 2018 version of the IPL saw the return of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) after serving their two-year suspension for the involvement of their owners in legal betting. Chennai, in particular, seemed determined to make up for lost time, as they won the competition for the third time in their history.
Both teams made it to the playoffs – Chennai second, behind Sunrisers Hyderabad on net run rate, while RR came fourth, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) separating them.
Chennai beat Hyderabad in the first Qualifier and advanced straight to the final with a two-wicket win in Mumbai. Rajasthan’s campaign, though, ended when they lost to Kolkata by 25 runs in the Eliminator. Hyderabad, though, booked a rematch with Chennai by defeating Kolkata by 14 runs in the second Qualifier.
The final took place on the 27 May in Mumbai.
Chennai won the toss and decided to field. After a slow start, they batted well. Captain Kane Williamson top-scoring with 47, including two sixes, Yusuf Pathan added some impetus with an unbeaten 45 off 25 balls, and Carlos Brathwaite blasted three sixes at the end. The total, 178/6, seemed reasonable.
However, Chennai were able to cruise to victory thanks to a splendid innings from opener Shane Watson. He scored an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls, his innings featuring eight sixes and 11 fours. He put on 117 for the second wicket with Suresh Raina (32) and an unbeaten 48 with Ambati Rayudu (16*).
Thanks to Watson’s efforts, Chennai reached their target with nine balls to spare. M.S. Dhoni did not even have to bat, although he was more than happy to pick up the trophy at the end of the match.
Hardly surprisingly, Watson was named Player of the Match, and Chennai had marked their return in the best possible way.