Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Final Match Summary

So, our journey in the Indian T20 League culminates after 60 games. We've had nail-biters, lopsided games, determined efforts, dejected faces, come-from-behind performances and what not. The sport didn't fail to enthrall us one bit. You name it, the tournament had it. Now, it's time for us to bid goodbye. Thanks for being lovely readers and keeping us company. Looking forward to having you the next time as well. Till the next time, take care! Adios, ta-ta!

That's it from the presentation! MS Dhoni now moves up to the podium and has been handed over the trophy. The entire team joins him on stage to signal the beginning of the celebrations. The chants of 'Dhoni, Dhoni..' reverberate around the Wankhede Stadium. The entire yellow outfit poses in front of the board stating CHAMPIONS. The young ones of Dhoni, Raina and Harbhajan among others join their dads, the doting dads our stars are! Not one smile at the venue can be missed, not worth missing either.

MS DHONI, the winning Chennai captain, says that by the time a side reaches the finals, the roles of players are more or less fixed and hence, there is less of talking then. Is thankful to the fact that they didn't lose many wickets, which made their task easier. Lavishes praise on the mystery bowler Rashid Khan saying facing him could be tricky. Lauds Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well by conceding that he is a disciplined bowler. Talks about he being comfortable with Ambati Rayudu batting in the middle when Faf du Plessis is in the side. Restrains from comparing victories across the seasons as each one is special. Mentions that tonight's date is 27th, this was their 7th final and his jersey no. is 7, so that could be a bit special for him. More than age, fitness matters to him. Hence, that most of the guys in the side were over 30 years of age didn't really matter to him. Stresses yet again that sometimes you have to accept that there are aspects like fielding, which needn't been given too much importance with the side they had. Cites an example of Shane Watson risking a hamstring injury in a bid to stop a single or two, which could have been detrimental in the larger cause of their side. Reckons that there aren't great plans to celebrate immediately but are going to Chennai the next day.

Stephen Flemming is up for a chat now. The winning team coach says that there's no secret to their success. States that each year has had its own challenges. Mentions that because of the experience and the consistency of his side, they came through well. About players aged more than 30, he says that they look after themselves well and with the fitness staff they have, they were confident enough. Reveals that he likes to take charge of the man management stuff out of the field while MS Dhoni takes charge of whatever happens on the field.

KANE WILLIAMSON, the Hyderabad skipper, says that they felt that it was a competitive total. Reasons that the ball was stopping a bit on the surface and hence they felt safe. Congratulates Chennai for their brand of cricket, before adding that it's tough to be on the other side. About leading a non-international side, he says that as there are a variety of nationalities invloved when leading a franchise, it has its own challenges but adds that there are a lot of positives in the bunch that he has got. Reckons that every side aims to get a balanced outfit. Praises Rashid Khan, who is ready to bowl at any time in the game. The commitment of the guys can't be doubted, he reckons. Talks about the small moments that cost them the game. Iterates about enjoying batting as well as captaining and feels no additional burden to play numerous roles. Ends saying that the entire team management contributed, which was good.

Tom Moody says that Shane Watson's innings was one that took the game away from them. Rounds off the season saying that they had a setback early on, missing certain players, but then did well to recover. Continues saying that it shows the character of his side as well as the quality of the tournament. Pours praises on Kane Williamson stating that he did well after replacing David Warner. Adds that the Kiwi does well with whatever side he is given and it's a joy to watch him. Now lauds Rashid Khan and his commitment, saying that he is a special bloke.

RISHABH PANT has been given the EMERGING PLAYER AWARD. He says that he enjoyed the whole tournament. Looks at the award and is happy but says that sadly it didn't go well for his side. Reckons that last year he was trying to belt the ball while this time he tried batting sensibly.

SHANE WATSON is adjudged the MAN OF THE MATCH for his scintillating unbeaten 117. He says that it has been a special season to play with Chennai and bat at the top of the order. It means so much to him knowing the history of the team he is playing with. Talks about the plan initially being seeing off the first 6 overs without losing a cluster of wickets and hence, he wasn't fazed about being on a 10-ball duck. States that once the ball stopped swinging, the task became easier. Reckons that he has plenty of time to recover and thanks his physio for keeping him fit and ready.

Deepak Chahar is over the moon and is happy with his performance. Thanks Dhoni for believing in him and adds that one of his dreams has come true tonight. Karn Sharma also gave a one-line interview where he mentioned that he was prepared and was waiting for his chance.

Harbhajan Singh says that it's brilliant the way they chased down the runs. Praises Watson for his outstanding batting and reckons with a set batsman anything is possible. On him not playing, he said that they had a lot of right-handed batsmen in the middle order and that was the main reason for his exclusion. Also justifies the move by telling that we have seen wrist spinners bowling more compared to finger spinners. Finishes by hoping that the picture will change next season. Lauds Karn Sharma's efforts and is thrilled to be on the winning side.

Lungi Ngidi says it's a great win and it has been a roller coaster of emotions. Is happy to experience such great moment. On bowling at the death, Ngidi replies that you need to take that responsibility on your shoulders and take it in your stride. Is delighted to have contributed in team's victory.

Shardul Thakur says that it feels great and reminds us that he was a part of the team last season which reached the final but didn't win the trophy. On his bowling, he replied that he wanted to bowl well at the death and felt that he was on top of his game.

Ravindra Jadeja says that it's good to be a part of a champion team. Credits the boys for sticking together and playing as a team despite of winning or losing. Is very happy that after two years they came and became champions.

Ambati Rayudu says that he is really fortunate to have a great season and feels privileged to hit the winning runs. Adds that initially he thought that the wicket was on the slower side but it got quicker later on.

Dwayne Bravo says that it's a special moment as the team didn't play for two years and played just one game at their real home ground this season. He feels that nothing is better than winning the trophy. Adds that they are all experienced and they put it all together and brought their best game in the final. Is very happy for the entire team. Praises Shane Watson for his brave batting (was struggling with hamstrings) and calls him a world class player.

Earlier, some useful contributions from Hyderabad's batters saw them post a decent-looking total on board. Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan got priceless 40s for them while Carlos Brathwaite used the long handle to great effect. The Chennai bowlers, in general, bore the brunt of this onslaught. Among this all, a certain Lungi Ngidi bowled a terrific spell, which was economical in its own right. Everyone who bowled for them picked up a wicket, apart from Deepak Chahar. Meanwhile, here's what some of the elated Chennai players have to say...

Let's have a glance at the runners-up's bowling. Actually there's hardly anything to write home about. Most of them took a beating. The initial phase in the run-chase only belonged to them. Even Rashid Khan's effect was negated with the way Watson-Raina went about with their job. 4-0-25-0 from the Afghani talisman is so unlike what he was about, post that heroic outing against Kolkata a day before. Once wickets didn't come by for the Orange Army, the writing was well on the wall.

It is said that once you hit the wall, nothing is possible. Be it your thoughts, career, life, whatever it may be. Shane Watson turned out to be that wall for Hyderabad. At the start, it seemed as if it was not to be his night. He played out 10 balls on 0 and got his first run of the 11th one that he faced. But post the end of the Powerplay, there was nothing stopping him. It shaped to be a chanceless knock which eventually proved to be match-winning.

The defense started well for Hyderabad. They managed to squeeze the flow of runs in the beginning, with both the Kumars - Bhuvneshwar and Sandeep - strangling the openers and eking out Faf du Plessis' wicket in the process. But then 'Chinna Thala' as he is known, Suresh Raina combined forces with Shane Watson in the middle. The duo kept the bowlers from the Orange team away for 117 runs. Even Raina's fall didn't give the other side the opening they would've liked.

The yellow-clad players rush to the middle to hug two of their mates in the middle. Joyous scenes. Hush! Just Chennai things, isn't it? Or well, Dhoni things? This guy's love for chases is no secret and here is one, a memorable one. A rate of close to 9 an over isn't always easy. These days nothing is regarded safe enough to be defended. Yet, having a score in front of you in the finals is something. With the kind of end that Hyderabad had got with the bat, the momentum and all those talks rested with them at the halfway mark. Also, their bowling had done all the defending et al on numerous occasions. But not tonight.

FOUR! There it is! Those are the winning runs. CHENNAI ARE THE INDIAN T20 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR 2018! And aptly, Ambati Rayudu hits the winning boundary. He gets some room outside off and smashes it through covers for a boundary. He has been the leading run-scorer for Chennai and has done the job most times in this season and hence, it's a sweet way to clinch the title. Out come the Chennai players, they charge to the middle and are jumping up and down in celebration. What great scenes! Emotions pouring. A thrilling moment for the Yellow army, not so for the Orange one.

Another dot! Full outside off, smashed straight to mid off. Ooof... These anticlimaxes!

Full on off, Rayudu moves across and flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Carlos Brathwaite to bowl. Players in Chennai's dug out are waiting eagerly for the celebrations to begin.

Anticlimax! Watson defends this one from the crease to the off side. Expected a big one but he decides to let it be.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is the highest individual score in the final of this league. Another overpitched delivery on the stumps, Shane smashes it back down the ground. The ball wastes minimum time in racing to the fence.

FOUR! Almost takes Kaul with it! Full in line of the stumps, Watson just makes room and blasts it right back. Thankfully, Kaul moved away in time for the ball to go to the fence.

This one is punched through covers to rotate strike. Just 10 needed now.

Full outside off, driven nicely to long on for one.

Short in length, pulled away through backward square leg for one.