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A Comeback For Ages: When Shane Watson Muscled CSK To IPL Win After 2-Year Ban

Aakash Saini

Shane Watson celebrating IPL 2018 win with CSK teammates [Source: IPLT20.COM]Shane Watson celebrating IPL 2018 win with CSK teammates [Source: IPLT20.COM]

On this day back in 2018, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise wrote one of the greatest redemption stories known to IPL lore. Making their return after a shambolic two-year suspension, as imposed by the BCCI in 2016 and 2017, the MS Dhoni-led ‘Yellow Brigade’ qualified into the playoffs in style, and outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a lop-sided finale at the Wankhede Stadium.

All-rounder Shane Watson hogged the limelight with the bat by whacking an unbeaten 117* from just 57 balls with 11 fours and eight huge sixes.

When Shane Watson scripted CSK’s third IPL win

In search of their first IPL silverware since winning the twin titles of 2010 and 2011, and in pursuit of redemption upon making their return from a two-year suspension of 2016 and 2017, the CSK franchise trounced SRH in a lop-sided IPL 2018 final to bag their third trophy.

After MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first, fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi, Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo as well as spinners Karn Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a wicket each to restrict SRH to 178-6 from 20 overs.

Chasing 179, CSK opener Shane Watson punched out a 33-ball half-century, before converting it to a 51-ball ton and eventually to 117* from 57 balls with 11 boundaries and eight sixes at the Wankhede Stadium. Watson’s run-chase masterclass helped CSK wallop SRH by eight wickets in just 18.3 overs to lift the 2018 title, their third IPL silverware and first since winning the 2011 edition of the tournament.

With additional wins in 2021 and 2023, CSK remains the joint-most decorated franchise in the history of the IPL (five trophies).