The IPL has seen countless memorable final matches, but there have been a select number of knocks which have had the potential to change the trajectory of final matches played amid immense pressure situations.
These knocks have come during exciting runs to victory and were played in times of immense pressure. There have been a host of impressive batting efforts in IPL final matches in the past. But the five best knocks in IPL finals have done much more than deliver outstanding scores for their respective sides in high pressure situations.
What makes these knocks different from others is the situation that they were played in. While some of them saved sides from being bowled out after an early collapse, others helped set records during nail-biting chases played against strong bowling attacks. And some of them have actually made significant impacts on the overall history of the league. Take a look at these five greatest IPL final knockdowns in order of importance.
Shane Watson - 117* vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2018 Final
It was none other than Shane Watson who produced an excellent rescue act for the CSK during their run chase of 179 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018 IPL Finals. Pressure was instant as he couldn't make any runs off his first 10 balls due to a great bowling display from Sunrisers Hyderabad, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But once again he was unperturbed and made a complete turnaround in the game.Watson scored an unbeaten knock of 117 off just 57 balls. The knock was inclusive of 11 boundaries and 8 maximums. With such a good show by Watson, it made life very easy for CSK as they chased their target of 178/6 with 8 wickets in hand. CSK won the game by eight wickets, leaving behind 9 balls.
💯!!! Watto, you beauty!! Boss innings from @ShaneRWatson33. This is his second century in #VIVOIPL 2018. pic.twitter.com/ih7vijZTjh
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2018
Manish Pandey - 94 vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2014 Final
Manish Pandey produced a fearless innings during Kolkata Knight Riders’ difficult chase of 200 against Kings XI Punjab in the 2014 final. KKR lost Robin Uthappa early, increasing the pressure immediately in a massive chase.
Pandey responded with controlled aggression. Playing on his home ground in Bengaluru, he hammered 94 off 50 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. Importantly, he kept the required run rate under control throughout the innings. His partnerships with Gautam Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan shifted momentum toward KKR. Although he missed a century, his innings laid the platform for KKR’s dramatic three-wicket win in a match that produced 399 runs.
Manvinder Bisla - 89 vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2012 Final
Manvinder Bisla surprised everyone with his masterclass performance in the 2012 IPL final and helped Kolkata Knight Riders lift their first ever title. While chasing 191 against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai, KKR lost their skipper Gautam Gambhir cheaply for 2 runs in the very first over itself.
However, Bisla responded to the challenge straightaway. The player who was included in the playing eleven as an alternative scored 89 off 48 balls including eight fours and five sixes. Bisla’s bold batting took CSK by surprise and turned the tables around in favor of KKR. He formed a valuable partnership of 136 runs along with Jacques Kallis and helped his side win by five wickets with two balls left.
Wriddhiman Saha - 115* vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2014 Final
Wriddhiman Saha became the first batter to score a century in an IPL final during Kings XI Punjab’s clash against KKR in 2014. Punjab were struggling at 32/2 and had registered their lowest powerplay score of the season.
Saha changed the game completely. He blasted an unbeaten 115 off 55 balls, hitting 10 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate above 209. Alongside Manan Vohra, he rebuilt and accelerated the innings to 199/4. Although KXIP lost the final, Saha’s knock stood out as a lone-warrior effort in one of IPL’s highest-scoring title clashes.
Yusuf Pathan - 56 & 3/22 vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2008 Final
Yusuf Pathan delivered the complete all-round package in the inaugural IPL final in 2008. First, he dismantled Chennai Super Kings with the ball, taking 3/22 and removing key batters including Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina, and Albie Morkel.
Then came his match-winning contribution with the bat. Rajasthan Royals were under pressure at 42/3 while chasing 164. Pathan attacked smartly and scored 56 off 39 balls with four sixes and three boundaries. His partnership with Shane Watson steadied the chase before RR sealed victory on the final ball. That performance remains one of the most decisive displays in IPL final history.
CHAMPIONS - 2008 #IPLfinal pic.twitter.com/rvThrudKVM
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2016
