IPL Rewind: 2018 – Chennai Super Kings make a dazzling comeback
Making a spectacular comeback in the competition, Chennai Super Kings clinched the biggest prize in the IPL 2018. One of the most consistent sides of the IPL, CSK returned to the tournament after undergoing a dark phase. For their involvement in the IPL corruption scandal, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals had to serve a two-year ban.
Some of the biggest names including CSK skipper MS Dhoni also had to move to different franchises during the two-year gap. The long wait of ardent CSK fans finally ended when they geared up for a comeback in the 2018 edition of the T20 extravaganza.
Back in Yellow
CSK retained skipper Dhoni, Suresh Raina and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from their IPL 2015 squad and embarked their journey of a grand IPL return. CSK also had to shift their base to Pune in the latter phase of the tournament due to the Cauvery water dispute. Overcoming all the roadblocks, the Yellow Army denied Sunrisers Hyderabad their second IPL trophy by registering an eight-wicket triumph in the final.
Conquering the group stage
CSK returned to the IPL on April 7, 2018, and went on to defeat arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the season opener. Chasing 166, the team was reduced to 84/6 but all-rounder Dwayne Bravo stepped up and smashed 68 from just 30 balls to steer CSK to a thrilling victory. It was a fairytale comeback for CSK as they eventually went on to clinch the title. Many even called CSK the ‘Daddies Army’ due to the average age of the team being on the higher side. However, it didn’t stop CSK from steamrolling teams which came in the way of their title hunt.
In their last group stage match, CSK registered a five-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab to eventually finish second in the points table. As anticipated, CSK had paved their way into the Playoffs but they still had to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 to cruise towards the IPL trophy.
In Qualifier 1 at Wankhede, CSK elected to field first after winning the toss. Carlos Brathwaite’s 43 off just 29 deliveries steered Sunrisers Hyderabad to 139/7 in their 20 overs. It was looking like an easy win for CSK but the possibility of a loss started looming after they were reduced to 6/62 in the 13th over. However, South Africa stalwart Faf du Plessis ensured that they crossed the finishing line by staying unbeaten on 67. He was also awarded Man of the Match as CSK marched their way to yet another IPL final.
Watson masterclass
As fate would have it, Chennai locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final too. CSK again elected to field after winning the toss but SRH responded by stitching a dominant total of 178/6 on the board. The New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was the main force behind their batting display as he stitched a 47-run knock off 36 deliveries.
Coming on to CSK’s chase, the Wankhede again witnessed the brilliance of the Yellow Army. It was Australia’s Shane Watson who rose to the occasion and smashed a 57-ball 117 to steer CSK to their third IPL crown. It was nothing but jubilation in the CSK dugout as they had scripted a victorious comeback in the IPL. The most consistent side of the IPL had no problems in adding another trophy to their name as they chased down the total with nine deliveries to spare. The ‘Daddies Army’, in the end, defied all the odds to etch their name into the record books.
