BEST INNINGS
SHANE WATSON
117*, Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad (final)
Watson was at his elements in the final. Image – BCCI.
The odds were heavily stacked against Shane Watson when he took guard in the final. In the Qualifier, he had lasted just five balls against the same opposition at the same ground and had returned to the dugout without scoring a run.
The Hyderabad bowlers had him in knots as he struggled to score a run off the first 10 balls he faced. But once he smacked a four, his first scoring shot off pacer Sandeep Sharma, everything fell in place. He began middling the ball and soon he was in top gear smashing sixes and fours at will.
To deliver in a high-pressure game against an attack that had been the best in the league takes some doing. The 10th IPL for the 36-year-old Aussie proved to be the most productive as he not only scored a memorable knock in the final but also ended up with 555 runs under his belt. Indeed, it was all elementary for Mr Watson.
WORTHY MENTIONS
100 by Ambati Rayudu (Chennai Super Kings) v Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Chennai opener hit 7 fours and 7 sixes to notch his maiden IPL ton as they chased down a stiff 180-run target with an over to spare.
Rayudu executed the tough chase perfectly. Image – BCCI.
95* by Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals) vs Chennai Super Kings
The Englishman’s 60-ball knock featuring 11 fours and two sixes was central to Rajasthan turning the tables on the heavyweights in a thriller.
Buttler delivered in a crunch clash. Image – BCCI.
