IPL 2018: Man of the Match performances across a decade of IPL finals
The Indian Premier League is a long tournament, one in which teams look to seize momentum and capitalize on it to have a successful campaign. A player needs to be at his consistent best and also match it with his fitness levels to be able to have a memorable season. Some players rule the entire edition while others end up showing spark in just a match or two.
Although, the one who can stand up when his team needs it the most and raise his game in the most crucial of all battles become the talk of the town. Such is the pace of the T20 format that a dozen runs scored in a couple of balls can overshadow the class of a well-compiled half-century.
Let us recall performances of players who rose to the occasion of the IPL final and helped their team achieve glory. No player has managed to achieve this feat twice.
#10 Yusuf Pathan (2008)
Considered as the underdogs in the inaugural edition of the IPL, Rajasthan Royals shocked everyone when they made their way to the final. Riding on the back of a string of superb performances by budding young talent under the inspired leadership of spin maestro Shane Warne, the Royals' platform served as a launchpad for the destructive Yusuf Pathan.
Bowling first against Chennai Super Kings, Yusuf picked the first 3 wickets, dismissing Parthiv Patel, S Vidyut and hard-hitting batsman Albie Morkel. He finished with excellent figures of 3/22 from his four overs and played a huge role in restricting CSK total to 164.
His night was not over though. Coming in at a stage when his team was 42-3, the right-handed Baroda batsman blasted his way to a 39-ball 56 which included 3 fours and 4 sixes.