In 2018, Chennai Super Kings reclaimed the Indian Premier League (IPL) title for the third time after a two-year hiatus. Following a 2013 spot-fixing scandal, the team was banned in the years 2016 and 2017. In what turned out to be an exhilarating final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, MS Dhoni and his men finally returned from exile to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Sunrisers were set a target of 178 by the Super Kings, who ran the crowd wild with an eight-wicket win. The bowlers seemed effective enough, with Deepak Chahar (0/25) and Lungi Ngidi (1/26) doing well and Karan Sharma contributing equally with figures of 1 for 25 to keep the Sunrisers under 180 runs. Kane Williamson (47) and Yusuf Pathan (45*) put up a valiant effort but failed to land the winning runs.
Watson’s splendid century ensured that he nearly single-handedly clipped the wings of the Sunrisers’ bowling attack. He scored 117 not out off 57 balls and clobbered the Sunrisers’ bowlers for 11 fours and 8 sixes. In contrast to Shane Watson’s explosive innings, Suresh Raina managed 32, and Ambati Rayudu made 16 not out. Rayudu kept Watson company in the end and sealed the victory with a four.
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Starting cautiously against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Watson made sure to stay wicket-free before going all guns blazing in the later stages of the innings. Named player of the match, Watson then guided CSK to their third title, tying Mumbai Indians.
