IPL 2018: Combined XI of Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad

The eleventh season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to an end on Sunday (May 27). And it is safe to say that just like the last ten seasons, the recently-concluded season also did not disappoint.

In the end, Chennai Super Kings, one of the most consistent teams in the competition, emerged as the winners. Making their comeback to the league after a two-year absence, the Super Kings thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets to lift the title.

The Super Kings thoroughly dominated the contest at the Wankhede Stadium to cap off their comeback season in style.

MS Dhoni won the toss and invited the Sunrisers to bat first on a good batting track at the Wankhede Stadium. The Sunrisers went on to post a challenging 178 for six in the allotted 20 overs.

Kane Williamson top-scored for the Sunrisers, scoring 47 while Yusuf Pathan and Carlos Brathwaite also made useful contributions.

In reply, the Super Kings reached home in the 19th over with utmost ease. Shane Watson was the star of the show, playing an unbeaten knock of 117 runs.

1. Shane Watson:

The Super Kings opener will undoubtedly be the first name on the team sheet. One can hesitatingly say the final was all about Watson.

The hard-hitting batsman started his innings in an unusual manner. It took him an incredible 11 balls to open his account.

However, it was just the calm before the storm. Watson completed his fifty off 32 balls and then reached his ton off 51 balls. In the end, he remained unbeaten on 117.

His knock came off just 57 balls and was studded with 11 fours and eight sixes, as Super Kings reached home in the 19th over.

2. Shikhar Dhawan:

While a lot was expected from the southpaw, he just could not deliver on the expectations.

However, with Super Kings’ other opener Faf du Plessis failing from other end, Dhawan gets the nod. After Sunrisers lost Shreevats Goswami cheaply, Dhawan added 51 runs with Kane Williamson to steady the ship. He scored 26 with the help of two fours and a six.

3. Kane Williamson:

The ever-dependable Sunrisers skipper once again starred with the bat. He was the top-scorer for his side by scoring 47.

During the course of the innings, he also crossed the 700-run mark. The right-handed batsman finished the season, as the highest run-scorer with 735 runs to his name.

4. Ambati Rayudu:

The in-form Super Kings star did not have too much to do when he came out to bat.

At the same time, he played smartly and backed Watson, as the duo took the Super Kings home comfortably. He scored 16 with the help of one four and a six.

5. Yusuf Pathan:

The veteran batsman gave the much-needed impetus to the Sunrisers’ innings. He turned back the clock with some sensational power-hitting, scoring an unbeaten 45 off 25 balls.

6. MS Dhoni:

The Super Kings skipper was in fine touch with the bat throughout the season.

However, he could not get a chance to bat in the title-decider. But that did not stop him from making his mark. He effected a crucial stumping to send back the dangerous Kane Williamson.

7. Carlos Brathwaite:

The Windies star once again showed his hard-hitting skills, slamming 21 off 11 balls including three sixes to help Sunrisers finish strongly.

8. Rashid Khan:

It was one of those rare days when the Afghan sensation could not get any wicket. However, he still managed to bowl well, as he conceded only 24 runs off his four overs.

9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Just like Rashid, Bhuvneshwar also did not get any wicket. However, he too made sure to keep things tight from his end. In a game where his teammates were taken to the cleaners, Bhuvneshwar conceded just 17 runs off his four overs.

10. Deepak Chahar:

Chahar continued his impressive show in the IPL with yet another brilliant performance. He did not get any wicket but conceded just 25 runs off his four overs.

11. Lungi Ngidi:

The Proteas star once again made his mark with the ball. He took one wicket, bowled a maiden and conceded just 26 runs off his four overs.