The IPL Final of 2019 featured the two most successful franchises in the history of the competition, the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
They had finished first and second in the points table, just edging out Delhi Capitals (DC) on net run rate. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) similarly had to rely on NRR to claim fourth pot.
Mumbai beat Chennai in the first qualifier, in Chennai, by four wickets. Delhi beat Hyderabad by two wickets in the Eliminator to meet Chennai in the Second Qualifier to decide the other finalist. Chennai won comfortably by six wickets with an over to spend.
The final took place on the 12 of May in Hyderabad, and maintained the IPL tradition of producing dramatic finales to the season.
Mumbai won the toss and chose to bat. Despite getting off to a good start, their progress was stalled when they lost wickets. Kieron Pollard gave their innings late impetus with an unbeaten 41 off 25 balls, including three sixes. Mumbai closed on 149/8, regarded at the time below par.
Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson then shared an opening partnership of 33, but, once du Plessis fell for 26, it was left to Watson to carry the innings. Too many of the supporting cast fluffed their lines on the big occasion.
However, as long as Watson was at the crease, they had hope. They needed nine to win from the last over. Watson was unbeaten on 76 and Ravindra Jadeja on four.
Despite having taken some punishment at the hands of Watson, Lasith Malinga was entrusted with the final over by captain Rohit Sharma. He repaid that faith in full.
After four were taken off the first three balls, Malinga delivered a yorker to Watson who hit the ball to deep point. He took the first run easily but, in trying to come back for the second, was beaten by the throw, and was run out for 80. The The fifth ball to Shardul Thakur went for two.
CSK now needed two to win, or a run to tie, off the last ball of the match. Malinga produced the perfect leg-side yorker. Thakur missed and was struck on the pad. Malinga appealed, the umpire raised his finger, and Mumbai had won the title yet again by a one-run margin.