On this day, May 28, 2018: Chennai Super Kings win their third title as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad. It was an emotional season for the CSK fans as the franchise was returning to the IPL after not being part in 2016 and 2017. Chennai Super Kings returned to the IPL in 2018 and under the leadership of MS Dhoni won their title for the fourth time. They faced off Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Final of the season at the iconic Wankhede. Sunrisers Hyderabad were batting first and lost the wicket of Goswami early via runout. Shikhar Dhawan stitched up a partnership with Kane Williamson to consolidate things.
Shikhar Dhawan was the next to be dismissed as he fell for 26. Shakib Al Hasan played a few shots straight away and scored 23 runs from 15 balls and provided momentum to the innings before getting dismissed by Dwayne Bravo. Kane Williamson continued to stitch partnership with other batters as he helped Sunrisers Hyderabad post a total of 178/6 at the end of the first innings. Kane Williamson scored 47 while Yusuf Pathan contributed with a crucial cameo of 45 to help them post a very good total. It was a par score at this venue and the match was evenly poised at the halfway mark of the innings.
Shane Watson - From struggle to Glory
Chasing the target, Sunrisers Hyderabad lost the wicket of Faf Du Plessis early. But it was a real struggle in the powerplay as Chennai Super Kings were 35/1 at the end of the powerplay. Shane Watson struggled a lot early in the innings and the pressure was building. Watson took 11 balls to get off the mark and it was a real struggle for him early on. Shane Watson turned things around after the powerplay as he slowly went through the gears and smashed one of the greatest centuries in the Final to help Chennai Super Kings clinch their third title. Watson scored an unbeaten 117 and was the player of the match.
