Every CSK and MI fan would clearly remember the last over heart-throbbing grand-finale of IPL 2019 where Lasith Malinga ended the dreams of the yellow army. Imran Tahir, who saw his team CSK losing the final by one run, has not forgotten the old wound though it has been one year to that defeat. He believes that they would have easily won that marquee clash but the team was not destined to grab the coveted trophy.
While chasing Mumbai Indian’s 150 runs target at iconic Wankhede Stadium, Shane Watson, whose knee-bleeding picture surfaced after that match, scored 80 runs off 59 balls.
He was the highest scorer in the final while Faf du Plessis was second-highest scoring 26 runs. And all other batsmen, including MS Dhoni, could not even touch 10 runs mark, except allrounder DJ Bravo who scored 15 runs.
In the last over drama, Lasith Malinga sent Shane Watson back to pavilion in the last second ball of the over which turned the whole game scenario. However, fans still had the hope of CSK’s victory. Shardul Thakur, who is the part-time batsman, came to bat but Sri Lanka’s lethal bowler picked his wicket in the last ball and Rohit Sharma-led side clinched their fourth IPL title.
“I was very sad after the match”: Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir, who picked up two wickets in that marquee clash, recalls the disheartening end of the IPL 2019. He said that he could not overcome the sadness of losing final just by a mere run. He acknowledged that Malinga’s greatness had demolished CSK dreams but he still believes that they would have easily won that match.
“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,” Imran Tahir told Anis Sajan on his Instagram Live chat show, according to Crictracker.
“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,” Imran Tahir added.
“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,” Imran Tahir further said.
Imran Tamir would be seen in action for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in September-November in UAE behind closed doors.