Indian Premier League 2018: Teams, summary, winner, most runs and wickets

Chennai Super Kings became the second team in history, after Mumbai Indians, to win three IPL titles –this, after being labelled “Dad’s Army”: eleven cricketers in their squad – including several key members – were over 30 years old, four of them above 35.

But they did magnificently. They were matched only by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the league stage. Then, chasing 140 in Qualifier 1, Chennai were reduced to 62/6, then 92/7, then 113/8, before they sneaked home in the last over thanks to Faf du Plessis’ 67 not out. Rashid Khan then single-handedly helped Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders to reach the final, where they put up 178/6. Unfortunately, they ran into Shane Watson, who, with an unbeaten 57-ball 117, chased it down virtually on his own.

Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiant, who had done so well in their allotted two seasons, were disbanded as Chennai and Rajasthan Royals returned to the fray. Rajasthan did well too, by finishing fourth.

It was not easy for Rajasthan in the absence of captain Steven Smith, who, along with Hyderabad captain David Warner, was shunned by IPL for the season in the aftermath of the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. With three wins in their first nine matches, Rajasthan men seemed to be in the doldrums before winning four in five to leapfrog to the top four.

Kane Williamson, who led Sunrisers in Warner’s absence, won the Orange Cap, while Kings XI Punjab’s Andrew Tye won the Purple Cap. With 357 runs at 190 and 17 wickets at 7.65 an over, Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders wa named the MVP.

Brief scores

Qualifier 1, Mumbai, May 22: Sunrisers Hyderabad 139/7 in 20 overs (Carlos Brathwaite 43; Dwayne Bravo 2/25) lost to Chennai Super Kings 140/8 in 19.1 overs (Faf du Plessis 67; Rashid Khan 2/11) by 2 wickets. Player of the Match: Faf du Plessis.

Eliminator, Kolkata, May 23: Kolkata Knight Riders 169/7 in 20 overs (Dinesh Karthik 52; Krishnappa Gowtham 2/15) beat Rajasthan Royals 144/4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 50; Piyush Chawla 2/24) by 6 wickets. Player of the Match: Andre Russell.

Qualifier 2, Kolkata, May 25: Sunrisers Hyderabad 174/7 in 20 overs (Wriddhiman Saha 35; Kuldeep Yadav 2/29) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 160/9 in 20 overs (Chris Lynn 48; Rashid Khan 3/19) by 14 runs. Player of the Match: Rashid Khan.

Final, Mumbai, May 27: Sunrisers Hyderabad 178/6 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 47; Ravindra Jadeja 1/24) lost to Chennai Super Kings 181/2 in 18.3 overs (Shane Watson 117*; Carlos Brathwaite 1/27) by 8 wickets. Player of the Match: Shane Watson.

Orange Cap: Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 735 runs, 17 matches
Purple Cap: Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab) – 24 wickets, 14 matches
MVP: Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)