Cee Yess Kayy, Cee Yess Kayy, Cee Yess Kayy. They have done it. As I mentioned in my last year's post, that they have a job in hand since MI has three titles now. And, they gladly accepted the challenge and equaled the record. And, to be frank I didn't even expect them to make it to the playoffs once their auctions were over. But, this was an amazing journey, a very inspiring batting and leadership from Dhoni who looked at his best easily and also his off-field fun with his daughter Ziva, so no need to worry about 2019 WC like he answered that reporter.
Yeah, this year I supported RCB and just like last year they played very poorly and couldn't even figure out their best X1 till the end and finally crashed out without even making it to the playoffs. And, to top it all ABD is now retired from international cricket as well (is it because of this poor campaign?), I just hope he returns to IPL next year.
And, the runners SRH, they just couldn't figure out a way to win against CSK even though they topped the table after league stage and they lost to them 4 times. But, Kane rediscovered and proved him as an outstanding batsman in T20 and an excellent captain as well. And, also Rashid really set the IPL on fire.
Here are some of the memorable moments from this IPL which didn't have any hat-tricks which are more than usual in IPL and also no super-over.
As usual, CSK starts with a thriller (I've written exactly the same in 2015 as well). I have given up on their chase, but Bravo was mindblowing, came in at no 7 and smacked 68 of 30 with 7 sixes and when he got out just before the end. Jhadav who came back after getting retired hurt, who couldn't even move his feet smacked a six over fine leg to deny a win for MI. And, thus began an extraordinary IPL for CSK.
Narine, as usual, punishes RCB just like last year, he just loves them, scored a 50 of just 19 balls and that's a start of a horrible season for RCB.
CSK, coming back to IPL after two years, their first home game had more tension and drama outside the ground before the start and even during the game. But, they just edged out KKR captained by another Chennai boy with the help of Sam Billings, 56 of 23 and chased over 200 runs for another last over finish. And, that's their last game at Chennai.
KX1's captained by ex-CSKian Ashwin's first game against CSK was another usual last over thriller for CSK. Universal Boss Gayle made an entry with a thundering inning and Dhoni finds his form, but just couldn't get the team over the line. And, then on Dhoni was a different batsman.
MI finally manages to win after an excellent inning from Rohit against RCB, and for RCB Kohli played alone to score over 90, but wasn't enough at all.
It took 16 games for the captains to bat first in this IPL, KX1 did it against SRH and universal boss Gayle continued to punish the bowlers even Rashid with 11 sixes to score a century and they won.
Yeah, this year I supported RCB and just like last year they played very poorly and couldn't even figure out their best X1 till the end and finally crashed out without even making it to the playoffs. And, to top it all ABD is now retired from international cricket as well (is it because of this poor campaign?), I just hope he returns to IPL next year.
And, the runners SRH, they just couldn't figure out a way to win against CSK even though they topped the table after league stage and they lost to them 4 times. But, Kane rediscovered and proved him as an outstanding batsman in T20 and an excellent captain as well. And, also Rashid really set the IPL on fire.
Here are some of the memorable moments from this IPL which didn't have any hat-tricks which are more than usual in IPL and also no super-over.
As usual, CSK starts with a thriller (I've written exactly the same in 2015 as well). I have given up on their chase, but Bravo was mindblowing, came in at no 7 and smacked 68 of 30 with 7 sixes and when he got out just before the end. Jhadav who came back after getting retired hurt, who couldn't even move his feet smacked a six over fine leg to deny a win for MI. And, thus began an extraordinary IPL for CSK.
Narine, as usual, punishes RCB just like last year, he just loves them, scored a 50 of just 19 balls and that's a start of a horrible season for RCB.
CSK, coming back to IPL after two years, their first home game had more tension and drama outside the ground before the start and even during the game. But, they just edged out KKR captained by another Chennai boy with the help of Sam Billings, 56 of 23 and chased over 200 runs for another last over finish. And, that's their last game at Chennai.
KX1's captained by ex-CSKian Ashwin's first game against CSK was another usual last over thriller for CSK. Universal Boss Gayle made an entry with a thundering inning and Dhoni finds his form, but just couldn't get the team over the line. And, then on Dhoni was a different batsman.
MI finally manages to win after an excellent inning from Rohit against RCB, and for RCB Kohli played alone to score over 90, but wasn't enough at all.
It took 16 games for the captains to bat first in this IPL, KX1 did it against SRH and universal boss Gayle continued to punish the bowlers even Rashid with 11 sixes to score a century and they won.
Another, CSK game, another last over thriller this time against SRH, Kane played beautifully with Yusuf providing some support and Rashid Khan (17 of 4) played a cameo and threatened to take the game, but falls short. It was Rayudu, who can bat anywhere, scored 79 of 37 helped CSK reach 180s. And, SRH went on to lose another three games including the finals against CSK.
Jofra Archer who made a name for himself in the BBL finally debuted for RR against MI and MI's bad luck continued. Gowtham coming in at no 8, when everyone has given up on RR, smashed a 33 of just 11 balls and won it for RR. I wasn't expecting it at all.
And, SRH was outstanding with their defense when they score sub-par totals of less than 140. In their game against MI after scoring just 118, they managed to win. MI all out for just 87 and it was Rashid who spun it for SRH with the figures 4-1-11-2. And, against KX1, after scoring just 132 due to Rajpoot's excellent spell of 4-0-14-5. KX1 were at 55 for 0, but couldn't finish the game.
CSK this time pulls of another chase in the last over and this time Dhoni, 70 of 34, was able to close it with his usual style, a six. RCB's worst death bowling continues, and VK thought Corey Anderson could defend 16 runs who gave 41 runs in 3 overs.
Ghambir decides to step down as captain and handed it over to Iyer, who scored 93 of 40 to win start his captaincy with a win against KKR.
KKR moves up Shubman Gill finally after playing him too low for few games and he delivers with an excellent half-century to win a game against CSK.
Rahul was the only batsman in KX1, who scored like nearly 50% of KX1's runs starting with the fastest 50 in 14 balls. He scored 84* and 95* against RR during the two consecutive matches winning one and losing the other. Gayle's form dipped and Rahul single-handedly tried to keep KX1 alive.
And, SRH was outstanding with their defense when they score sub-par totals of less than 140. In their game against MI after scoring just 118, they managed to win. MI all out for just 87 and it was Rashid who spun it for SRH with the figures 4-1-11-2. And, against KX1, after scoring just 132 due to Rajpoot's excellent spell of 4-0-14-5. KX1 were at 55 for 0, but couldn't finish the game.
CSK this time pulls of another chase in the last over and this time Dhoni, 70 of 34, was able to close it with his usual style, a six. RCB's worst death bowling continues, and VK thought Corey Anderson could defend 16 runs who gave 41 runs in 3 overs.
Ghambir decides to step down as captain and handed it over to Iyer, who scored 93 of 40 to win start his captaincy with a win against KKR.
KKR moves up Shubman Gill finally after playing him too low for few games and he delivers with an excellent half-century to win a game against CSK.
Rahul was the only batsman in KX1, who scored like nearly 50% of KX1's runs starting with the fastest 50 in 14 balls. He scored 84* and 95* against RR during the two consecutive matches winning one and losing the other. Gayle's form dipped and Rahul single-handedly tried to keep KX1 alive.
Rishab Pant, who had an outstanding season scored his first century against SRH, 128*. He took Bhuvi for 26 runs in 5 balls (4,4,6,6,6) of the last over, but SRH chases it down easily though.
Buttler after starting to open rejuvenated RR's campaign with five consecutive half centuries and as ususal in a game against CSK he won it in the last over scoring 12 and ended with 95*.
KKR, on the blink of elimination, scored the highest score of the IPL 245 against KX1, thanks to all-rounder in town, Narine who scored 75 of 36. KX1 just crossed 200 with a surprising assault from Ashwin 45 of 22, but it was all over once Rahul was out for 66 of 29. KX1 virtually played with only one batsman.
KKR, on the blink of elimination, scored the highest score of the IPL 245 against KX1, thanks to all-rounder in town, Narine who scored 75 of 36. KX1 just crossed 200 with a surprising assault from Ashwin 45 of 22, but it was all over once Rahul was out for 66 of 29. KX1 virtually played with only one batsman.
RCB suddenly started winning and KX1 after a good start their campaign derailed. KX1 were all out for 88 against one of the worst attacks.
In a must-win game for MI against KX1, MI scored 186 and as usual Rahul chased it singlehandedly with 94, but it was Bumrah who saved MI with his outstanding spell of 4-0-15-3 in which he bowled two in the death and took Rahul's wicket.
In the end phase, RR without Buttler eliminates RCB and DD while ending their campaign with a win eliminates MI as well.
In the final league game Dhoni decides to play some tricks and sends in Bhajji, Chahar before him and Chahar even scored a 39 and they still won it to end a disappointing campaign for KX1.
In the first qualifier was such low scoring thriller, CSK was never in the chase, but thanks to du Plessis's 67* of 42 won it for CSK, but in the eliminator, RR was cruising along in their chase suddenly they lose the plot and gets eliminated.
And, SRH won the qualifier 2 to meet CSK thanks to Rashid's all-around performance 34* of 10 and 4-0-19-3 and a catch as well to seal the spot in the final.
And, the final CSK decided enough of last over thrillers and Watson from 0 of 10 finishes the chase with 117* of 57. And, fittingly CSK's best batsman Rayudu hits the winning runs to give CSK their 3rd trophy.
In a must-win game for MI against KX1, MI scored 186 and as usual Rahul chased it singlehandedly with 94, but it was Bumrah who saved MI with his outstanding spell of 4-0-15-3 in which he bowled two in the death and took Rahul's wicket.
In the end phase, RR without Buttler eliminates RCB and DD while ending their campaign with a win eliminates MI as well.
In the final league game Dhoni decides to play some tricks and sends in Bhajji, Chahar before him and Chahar even scored a 39 and they still won it to end a disappointing campaign for KX1.
In the first qualifier was such low scoring thriller, CSK was never in the chase, but thanks to du Plessis's 67* of 42 won it for CSK, but in the eliminator, RR was cruising along in their chase suddenly they lose the plot and gets eliminated.
And, SRH won the qualifier 2 to meet CSK thanks to Rashid's all-around performance 34* of 10 and 4-0-19-3 and a catch as well to seal the spot in the final.
And, the final CSK decided enough of last over thrillers and Watson from 0 of 10 finishes the chase with 117* of 57. And, fittingly CSK's best batsman Rayudu hits the winning runs to give CSK their 3rd trophy.
My Best X1 of this IPL: KL Rahul, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, Ambati Rayudu, M S Dhoni (c), Rishab Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
My Worst X1 of this IPL: Glenn Maxwell, Manish Pandey, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Darcy Short, Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Washington Sundar, Corey Anderson, Mitchell Johnson, Jayadev Unadkat
CSK, 9 years, 7 finals, 3 trophies, one constant captain Dhoni. I just wonder how long he can deliver for CSK and will he be associated with CSK as a mentor or coach? It's hard to imagine CSK without Dhoni. And, it's hard to support some other team other than this yellow army. And, this team finally proved the cliche "age is just a number".
And, I just wish RCB to have a better season next year, just before the World Cup so our captain Virat Kohli will be in a better mood.
