IPL 2018: 7 common things between the 2011 WC Final and the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Superkings game

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Dhoni guided CSK home with a brilliant innings

Last night's humdinger at the Chinnaswamy Stadium between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings reminded us of that epic 2011 World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede.

Don't believe us? Well, read through this article and you'll find out why. There were as many as seven similarities between these two games and we're going to list all of them one by one.

So sit back, relax and read through all these seven similarities and relive those glorious moments once again.


#7 The team that was chasing won the game

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CSK was chasing a stiff target

Just like the World Cup Final where team India was chasing, CSK too was batting second. Both teams were under pressure as India had to chase a stiff target of 275 while CSK had to gun down 206 runs.

It was never an easy chase but team India and the Super Kings showed great character and chased down their respective totals.

#6 Opener out in the first over

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Sehwag went for a duck in the World Cup final

While chasing a huge score, it's important that both your openers give you a solid start but in both cases, it was not to be.

While India had lost Virender Sehwag for a duck in the very first when he missed the length the ball from Lasith Malinga; CSK too, lost their in-form opener Shane Watson in the first over, who mistimed a shot and found mid-off while trying to give his team a breezy start.

#5 A special knock by one of the top three

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Gambhir was the unsung hero in the final

When chasing a big score, you need one of your top three to fire. Luckily for both India and CSK, they had someone.

For India, it was the ever so elegant Gautam Gambhir, who played a special knock of 97 which guided India to the World Cup title.

For CSK, Ambati Rayudu played that special knock. His brilliant 82 resurrected the chase and helped the Super Kings overhaul RCB's daunting total and silence the Chinnaswamy crowd.

#4 Dhoni's smart innings

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Dhoni came in at No. 6 with CSK under pressure

Be it Dhoni in blue or yellow, the man never fails to surprise you. In the World Cup Final, he promoted himself ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh.

The move surprised everyone but captain cool stayed calm, played out Malinga and Muralidharan with respect and attacked the other Sri Lankan bowlers. His unbeaten 91 helped India clinch the title.

Last night Dhoni walked in at No. 6 with CSK tottering at 77 for four. He played out Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal with the utmost respect and tore into the other RCB bowlers. His smart unbeaten innings of 70 helped CSK clinch victory.

#3 An all-rounder at the other end

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Dhoni had Bravo at non-strikers end against RCB

When Dhoni finished the game for India, an all-arounder in the form of Yuvraj Singh was at the crease, whose valuable 21 was crucial in India's successful run chase.

Last night when Dhoni finished the game for CSK, an all-arounder in the form of DJ Bravo was batting at the other end, whose nice little 14 runs cameo was crucial in CSK pulling off an incredible win.

#2 Dhoni hits the winning runs with a six

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Dhoni finished off the game with a towering six

Dhoni and finishing off games with a six has been a norm these past few years. That's been his signature move ever since hitting his famous six to win India the World Cup in 2011.

He did it again last night at the Chinnaswamy. Needing only five runs to win off three deliveries, Dhoni shuffled across his stumps and launched the ball into orbit and finished the game the way he knows best - a monster six to hand CSK an outstanding win.

#1 Gary Kirsten watching from the dugout

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Kirsten was on the losing side this time around

When Dhoni hit that famous six in the World Cup Final in 2011, Gary Kirsten, the then coach of the Indian cricket team watched on as Dhoni secured the World Cup for India. He was chuffed to bits as India got their hands on the prestigious cup.

Last night when Dhoni hit a six to seal the deal for CSK, Gary Kirsten watched on, but this time in disarray as he was in the opposition's camp.

The RCB coach was left stunned by his former captain.


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