Sunrisers Hyderabad did most things right on Sunday night at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, but came up against a rampaging Shane Watson, who powered Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title with a match-winning 117*.
Talk of the age of some of the Chennai players has dogged the team right through the tournament, but when it came to the crunch, it was experience that won the day for them. Watson’s 57-ball knock featured 11 fours and eight sixes, and took Chennai past Hyderabad’s 178-6 with nine balls in hand.
Kane Williamson, the Hyderabad captain, believed that the target his men had set was a competitive one, given the nature of the pitch. “It (the surface) wasn’t easier I would say, but it was a very competitive total,” he said. “It wasn’t perhaps your usual surface in terms of if you are at Wankhede. It sort of held a little bit and was responsive to the slower balls. So 180 was a very good target.”
“He’s a world-class player. It’s great that he’s going to be playing some Test cricket. I think it is a challenge for anyone. It will be a very enjoyable challenge because I think he is right up with the top spinners in the game,” said Williamson.
“It is always a pleasure to face him in the nets and perhaps against him as well in the near future. He’s a very good bowler, like any spinner that offers a little bit spin. Fantastic bowler, the whole package Rashid so great to have him in the side.”