CSK captain Dhoni meanwhile also credited the batting effort by his side throughout the tournament which was a major reason behind their success in the 11th edition of IPL.

The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings hunted down a competitive 179-run target against one of the best bowling attacks (Sunrisers Hyderabad) of the current season with eight wickets and nine balls to spare.

Shane Watson’s magnificent ton in the IPL 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) powered Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their third title at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

As the two teams get ready for the final, we take a look at a few key battles which could prove crucial and will decide the result of the match.

While Dhoni's CSK have young pacers like Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, who have performed exceptionally well, others young seamers like Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna too made a mark in the eleventh edition of IPL.

Chennai Super Kings, gunning for their third IPL crown, will take on 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad five days after their first playoff game at the same neutral venue.

The report further goes on to claim that BCCI's decision to let Indian cricketers take part in the 100-ball tournament would pave way for negotiations around an IPL franchise in London.

Du Plessis' 67 off 42 balls enabled CSK to chase down a tricky target of 140 in 19.1 overs after being down at 92 for 7.

Du Plessis (67 off 42 balls) engineered a stunning comeback and fittingly finished the match with a straight six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

With age not by his side, the charismatic leader has admitted that his journey with Chennai Super Kings and IPL might be nearing its end.

CSK are undisputedly the most balanced side of the tournament, with Dhoni coming back to his destructive form like good old days.

As Chennai reached the IPL playoffs for the ninth time, Dhoni too entered the record books as he became the most successful wicket-keeper in T20 cricket.

With joyful celebrations around after the win, young Ziva was seen on field with Dhoni, having some fun after the post-match awards show. Take a look.

Pacer Lungi Ngidi conceded only 10 runs and took four wickets before Suresh Raina hit a measured 61 as Chennai Super Kings eliminated Kings XI Punjab from the IPL with a five-wicket win, a result which sealed Rajasthan Royals' place in the playoffs in Pune.

Live Score, CSK vs KXIP, IPL 2018, Match 56: Watch VIVO IPL 2018 Cricket Score Live Updates from Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune Cricket Match Live on Hotstar, Reliance Jio airtel tv, India TV Sports.

However, the ace shuttler received the signed bat via the courtesy of BCCI selection committee chairman MSK Prasad.

CSK all-rounder Bravo bled 26 runs in the 20th over which enabled the hosts to post 162 for five on a slow wicket of Feroz Shah Kotla.

Punjab had started the season with a string of wins before going off the boil and are currently placed at the seventh position with 12 points, but still have a slender chance of making it to the play-off.

Leg-spinners Amit Mishra (2/20), Trent Boult (2/20) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/21) starred for the hosts Delhi in an impressive bowling effort that restricted Chennai to 128/6 in 20 overs.

MS Dhoni has opened up about Virat Kohli as captain and the former skipper has nothing but praise for the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain.