Shane Watson’s match-winning 117* in the 2018 IPL final remains one of the most memorable innings in the tournament’s history
When it comes to the IPL final, the atmosphere is always electric, but something special was in the air during the 2018 showdown between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
With CSK chasing 179, all eyes were on the opening pair. Yet, it was the seasoned 36-year-old Shane Watson who took centre stage in what was a thrilling climax to the tournament.
Having faced criticism for being too old, Watson stood tall and proved his worth when it mattered most, registering a scintillating century that led CSK to their third IPL title. It was an almost poetic chase in its elegance, as Watson's calm and composed knock secured the title with 8 wickets and 9 balls to spare.
Let's break down the magic that unfolded that night.
The chase started somewhat scrappy, with CSK losing Faf du Plessis early to a Sandeep Sharma delivery. The score read 16 for 1 after three overs, and the pressure was on.
But Watson, despite being unable to get off the mark for the first 11 balls, found his rhythm against the younger bowlers. He showed composure, allowing the game to come to him.
Then came the turning point. The 6th over of the chase, bowled by Sandeep Sharma, went for 15 runs, and from there, Watson's destructive side began to emerge.
By the 7th over, when the score was 51 for 1, the asking rate was comfortably under 10 per over, and Watson was just getting started.
As Watson moved from 50 to 100, the match shifted entirely in CSK's favour. He reached his half-century in just 33 balls and celebrated his century in 51 balls, showcasing an impressive striking with 11 fours and 8 sixes.
His partnership with Ambati Rayudu, who contributed a steady 16* off 19 balls, brought the total to a smooth 181/2 in 18.3 overs, sealing the victory and the title for CSK.
Watson's dominance over the bowlers was striking, particularly against Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul, who were taken for 16 and 15 runs in single overs.
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan tried to put the brakes on the chase, Watson's counterattack was methodical, never letting the required run rate creep up.
Watson's century in the IPL final is a rare achievement. In the history of IPL finals, it is only the second time a batter has surpassed the three-figure mark in the decider. The previous instance was Wriddhiman Saha's century (115) against KKR in 2014, although it ended in a losing cause.
What made Watson's century so remarkable was not just the runs or the speed at which he accumulated them, but the pressure that accompanied the chase.
SRH had posted a competitive total of 178/6, and with a strong bowling attack featuring Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, CSK's task was never going to be easy. Nevertheless, Watson's ability to absorb pressure, play patiently, and strike when the opportunity arose made his innings an actual final showcase performance.
