IPL 2018 Finals: Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad

Chennai Super Kings completed a fairy tale comeback from disgrace to glory, clinching their third IPL title after imposing all-rounder Shane Watson single-handedly hammered Sunrises Hyderabad into submission with a blazing hundred in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The MS Dhoni-captained side had entered a seventh IPL final and their stellar campaign ended with a record-equalling third title, tying them up with Mumbai Indians.

CSK kept a tight rein on the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen initially while also taking a wicket through a run-out. The first four overs saw only one boundary being hit a turn to fine leg for four by Dhawan off Lungi Ngidi.

Williamson led his side from the front once again hitting two sixes and five fours in his innings before Pathan pummelled the opposition bowlers in the death overs. Carlos Brathwaite (21 in 11) came up with the much needed big hits towards the end to take his team close to 180.

It was later left to Pathan and big-hitting West Indian Brathwaite to give the total a big boost in the death overs as they added 34 runs in the last three overs. 

The star of the night was one and only Shane Watson. The 36-year-old, who previously won the title with Rajasthan Royals in the league's inaugural season in 2008, muscled his way to 50 in only 33 balls and then smashed Sandeep Sharma for 26 runs in the 13th over to make it a virtual no-contest.

The other in-form CSK batsman, Ambati Raydu, hit the winning four that led to wild celebrations. Watson also shared a 117-run partnership with Suresh Raina (32 off 24) for the second wicket, ensuring a smooth chase for CSK.

The Australian smashed as many as 11 fours and eight sixes enroute to this second hundred of the season as CSK raced home in 18.3 overs.  

Such was Super Kings' domination over an otherwise formidable SRH that they beat the Willamson-led side four times in as many games this season.

Reinstated into the IPL after a two-year ban for their team management's role in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, CSK outplayed SRH by eight wickets with Watson's unbeaten 117 off 57 balls in a high-pressure game being the icing on the cake. CSK have now won three IPL trophies, tying them with Mumbai Indians and a brilliant statement to announce their return.