It Was Heart-Breaking: Imran Tahir Sheds Light On The 2019 IPL Final Loss

South Africa spinner Imran Tahir has opened up on the thrilling one-run loss to Mumbai Indians in the 2019 IPL final in Hyderabad. Imran Tahir was part of Chennai Super Kings’ side and delivered an economical spell of bowling in three overs. Mumbai Indians made 149 while batting first.

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Imran Tahir ended up with figures of 2/23 in three overs to restrict the three-time champions to 149 in their 20 overs. It was the fourth final between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians after squaring off in 2010, 2013, and 2015. The top-order batted inconsistently; however, Kieron Pollard’s quick-fire 41 gave them a fighting total.

Shane Watson’s half-century kept Chennai in the hunt till the last over before his run-out for 80 left them with two to win off the final delivery. Lasith Malinga plucked the wicket of Shardul Thakur to give Mumbai their fourth title in seven years. Tahir labelled the loss as heartbreaking as they managed to beat the top teams and some even twice in the league stage.

“It was heart-breaking as we won almost every game, we managed to beat the big teams. Some of the teams we beat twice as well. You stay with your family for six to eight weeks and then you lose by one run,” the leg-spinner stated in an interview with Crictracker.

The 41-year old went on to commend the effort of his team, saying that they did everything they could. However, despite that, the results don’t always come necessarily in their favour.

“At the end of the day, it’s only a run, but you still come second. For me, I have no doubt that we did what we could, giving everything. Results are never going to be in our hands,” Tahir added.

Malinga is one of the best bowlers in the world and he handled the pressure well: Imran Tahir

The Pakistan-born further said that the move behind sending Shardul Thakur up the order was because he has handled Malinga well before. While admitting that the veteran Sri Lankan bowled well, he said that the players were very sad after the match. Tahir will once again turn up for the yellow army in the upcoming edition, trying to win the fourth title.

“That was a game we could have won easily. We have seen Shardul Thakur hit a lot of sixes and that’s why he went to bat. But unfortunately, (Lasith) Malinga bowled well. Malinga is one of the best bowlers in the world and he handled the pressure well. I was very sad after the match, personally, just like the other CSK members,” the 41-year old said.

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