Elementary for Watson, CSK champs

MS Dhoni’s boys crush Hyderabad to claim third IPL title

MUMBAI: Seven finals in nine attempts, Chennai Super Kings sure know how to handle the big stage. Coming into this IPL with a bruised ego after the ignominy of a two-year suspension, the seasoned warriors proved they retain the same aura of invincibility that made them the most successful team in the first eight editions.

Completing a fairytale script, the yellow brigade dismissed the challenge of Sunrisers Hyderabad to lift the IPL title for the third time, cantering to an eight-wicket win by eating up the target of 179 in just 18.3 overs. They effectively won in 16.3 overs as SRH bowled two maiden overs.

Cheered on by a sea of yellow at the Wankhede Stadium, Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson chose the occasion to put on a show. As if to prove a point on behalf of his veteran teammates against critics who had dismissed CSK as Dad’s Army for picking quite a few in the 30-plus age bracket, the 36-year-old smashed an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls (11x4, 8x6).

LULL BEFORE STORM

Sunrisers opening bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma, exerted early pressure by snaking the ball around on a lively track. Watson was clueless in that period, taking 11 balls to get off the mark. But that was the only period of positive play for SRH.

The powerplay overs done, Watson lifted his game into a different zone. He exposed the lack of pace of SRH bowlers. Siddarth Kaul, hero of the win over KKR, conceded 43 runs in three overs.

It is not every day that Suresh Raina, highest run-getter in IPL history, gets eclipsed. He was left to play second fiddle as Watson traded in sixes. In their 117-run second wicket partnership, Watson’s contribution was 82 off 33 balls, Raina’s 32 off 24 balls.

It was Watson’s second hundred of the season, having hit one against Rajasthan Royals. It was his fourth IPL century.

At the end of the powerplay overs, CSK had huffed and puffed to 35/1. But when Raina fell at the score of 133, CSK needed just 46 off 39 balls. Sandeep Sharma was clobbered for 27 runs in the 13th over with Watson scoring 26 of

them with three sixes and two fours. SRH topped the league table ahead of CSK, but head-tohead MS Dhoni’s side ended 4-0. SRH battled to 178/6 after being

put into bat with skipper Kane Williamson scoring a 36-ball 47 and Yusuf Pathan providing the innings the impetus with a quickfire, 25-ball 45 not out.