From Watson’s carnage to Gayle’s thunder, these five knocks rewrote final-day scripts
There's something about an IPL final that brings out the very best — and occasionally, the beast — in overseas batters. Under the weight of packed crowds, spinning pressure, and the promise of eternal glory, some have stood tall and swung hard.
When the big day arrives, not everyone can soak in the spotlight — but a select few overseas stars have done more than merely show up. They've rewritten the script.
Let's take a stroll back through time, into the heat of title nights, to relive the top five innings by overseas batters in IPL finals. These are not just scores on a board but statements made on the grandest stage.
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You could almost hear the Wankhede gasping for breath that night. Shane Watson walked out for CSK and dominated Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing 179 in the 2018 final, he began with a few stumbles — 10 balls, no runs. But then, like a motorbike warming up before a sprint, he found his rhythm. Once he did, there was no stopping him.
Watson smashed 117* off just 57 balls — 11 fours, 8 sixes, and a jaw-dropping strike rate of 205.26. It was a one-man demolition job, as Chennai romped home with 8 wickets in hand and 9 balls to spare.
Finals can rattle the best, but Faf du Plessis never appeared flustered in 2021. Batting first in Dubai against Kolkata Knight Riders, the South African anchored Chennai's innings like a seasoned helmsman steering through choppy waters. Faf combined control with clean hitting, crafting 86 off 59 balls.
He struck 7 boundaries and 3 sixes, establishing a solid platform before finishing with a flourish. His innings propelled CSK to 192/3, which proved too daunting for KKR to chase down.
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If 2018 was a storm, 2019 was a heartbreak. Again in yellow, Shane Watson nearly dragged Chennai across the finish line. The Mumbai Indians had posted 149 — not a mountain, but a minefield given the pressure.
Watson, battered and bruised, fought his way to 80 off 59 balls, smashing 8 fours and 4 sixes. He went down swinging, run out in the final over, with CSK falling short by just one run.
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No list of IPL final fireworks is complete without Chris Gayle. In the 2016 final at Bengaluru, the Universe Boss came alive. Chasing a formidable 209 against SRH, Gayle emerged swinging — and connecting. His 76 came off just 38 balls, featuring 4 fours and 8 sixes.
At one point, it seemed as though RCB would effortlessly secure victory on his broad shoulders. However, once he fell, the tide turned.
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Earlier that evening, David Warner set the tone. The SRH skipper didn't waste time; he got stuck in and remained aggressive from the outset. He scored 69 from 38 balls, peppering the field with 8 boundaries and 3 maximums.
Warner's fearless approach laid the groundwork for SRH's final total of 208. It provided his bowlers with the breathing space they required, and they did just enough to secure an 8-run victory.
