IPL 2018, Final, CSK vs SRH: 5 talking points

#4 Yusuf Pathan comes to the party

Yusuf Pathan remained unbeaten on 45 off 25 balls

After a disappointing IPL 2017, it was not surprising to see KKR decide against retaining Yusuf Pathan for the current campaign. It was Sunrisers Hyderabad who took a gamble of sorts by spending Rs 1.9 crore on the 35-year-old, who rarely rolls his arm around with the ball nowadays.

However, the Baroda all-rounder has proven to be a good buy for SRH, playing a few crucial knocks en route the final, but saved his best for last, playing a very crucial knock for the league table-toppers in the final against CSK tonight.

Pathan walked into the crease at the fall of skipper Kane Williamson's wicket and with almost eight overs to go, it was imperative that they didn't lose any more wickets. Yet, it was important that they kept the run-rate steady and look for a god finish towards the end.

Pathan provided just that, remaining unbeaten on 45 off 25 balls, as he hit four boundaries and two sixes, and more importantly, helped take Karn Sharma out of the attack after the leg-spinner had accounted for Williamson's wicket.

Along with Carlos Brathwaite, who scored 21 off 11 balls, Pathan's knock helped SRH finish on a good total of 178 in their 20 overs.