Chennai Super Kings failed to complete the double of winning consecutive Indian Premier League trophies as they went down as Mumbai Indians by one run in a picturesque final clash. Despite that, Chennai have played some outstanding cricket throughout the season finishing in the second spot of the points table after the end of the playoff stages.
The team under the leadership of MS Dhoni took it to the wires before going down by one run. Chasing 150 runs set by Mumbai Indians, Shane Watson powered Chennai to almost home after Mumbai led a superb comeback in the middle overs. The bowlers did a terrific job to contain Mumbai for 149 runs with Deepak Chahar picking three wickets while Shardul Thakur and Imran Tahir picking two wickets each.
Watson once again fired in the final chipping in with 80 runs before Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga bowled two outstanding overs to seal the tie.
Here is the players rating of Chennai Super Kings from their game against Mumbai Indians in the IPL final:
SHANE WATSON (9/10)
Shane Watson once again proved that he is a big match player. However, he will curse himself for not finishing the game. The former Australian scored 80 runs off 59 balls including eight boundaries and four massive sixes to almost change the game.
FAF DU PLESSIS (6/10)
Faf du Plessis provided the impetus Chennai Super Kings needed. The South African skipper chipped in with 26 from 13 balls before his countrymen Quinton de Kock stumped him.
SURESH RAINA (2/10)
Suresh Raina had a poor stint in the IPL, and his performance in the IPL puts a stamp to it. He managed to score only eight runs from 14 balls and also dropped a dolly off Hardik Pandya.
AMBATI RAYUDU (1/10)
Ambati Rayudu has failed to replicate his efforts from the last season, and the final clash was no different. He managed to score only one run which puts his cricketing career in doubt.
MS DHONI (3/10)
MS Dhoni‘s run-out was the game-changing moment. Although he was outstanding with the captain’s hat on, the Chennai Super Kings skipper could only contribute two runs before getting out.
DWAYNE BRAVO (5/10)
Dwayne Bravo had a fair game with both bat and ball but couldn’t give the finishing touch as an outstanding bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah caught him napping to change the course of the game.
RAVINDRA JADEJA (3.5/10)
Ravindra Jadeja bowled only two overs giving away only 12 runs before chipping in with five runs to bring down the equation. However, he witnessed Chennai Super Kings lose the tie from the other end as Lasith Malinga got Shardul Thakur LBW off the last ball of the match.
HARBHAJAN SINGH (4/10)
Although he was wicketless, Harbhajan Singh has bowled well in the powerplay overs to keep things in perspective for the Chennai Super Kings. He returned with none for 27 in his full quota.
SHARDUL THAKUR (6/10)
Shardul Thakur could have been the hero of the match if he would have managed to steer the last ball of Malinga to any parts of the ground for two runs. Meanwhile, Shardul did an outstanding job with the ball returning with two for 37 in his four overs.
DEEPAK CHAHAR (8/10)
Deepak Chahar has been outstanding throughout the season, and the final match was no different. He picked three wickets giving away only 26 runs including a maiden to take his tally to 22 wickets.
IMRAN TAHIR (7/10)
Imran Tahir‘s two for 23 from three overs made him the highest wicket-taker of this edition of the IPL. He has turned out to be a match-winner for Chennai Super Kings, and Tahir has thoroughly enjoyed his stint in India irrespective of the outcome.