As the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier gets underway, we thought what better time than now to recap on what happened exactly 12 months ago as IPL 11 to ensure you are fully prepared for another rip-roaring tournament of T20 cricket action across India.
Who won it in 2018?
The Chennai Super Kings came roaring back after a two-year suspension from the tournament due to the owner being involved in a betting scandal which rocked Indian cricket.
This made the Super Kings public enemy number one but after defeating Hyderabad Sunrisers in the preliminary finals round and the final itself, suddenly, the Super Kings were on top of the world once again.
It was Chennai’s IPL victory since 2011 and third overall to make them the joint highest winners of all time with Mumbai Indians but they were made to work for it in the final with the Sunrisers.
However, the heroics of Australian Shane Watson who bagged himself a phenomenal 117 not out from just 57 deliveries meant CSK reached Hyderabad’s target of 178 with eight wickets and 1.3 overs to spare.
Who scored the most runs?
New Zealander Kane Williamson took all the plaudits with the bat scoring an unmatched total of 735 runs throughout the tournament for beaten finalists Sunrisers Hyderabad.
After playing 17 games in IPL 11, it meant Williamson ended with the enviable average of 52.50 with the bat.
However, despite the number of runs, the 28-year-old failed to score a single century but did still manage to knock 8 half centuries along with 64 fours and 28 sixes.
Williamson will be back in action again for the Sunrisers looking to go one better this season.
Who took the most wickets?
Australian Andrew Tye claimed the coveted purple cap after taking 24 wickets for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 11.
The 32-year-old has proven to be arguably the best short game bowler in the world and along with his success at the IPL, he also became the leading wicket taker in International T20’s in 2018 with 31.
At IPL 11, his 24 wickets came across 14 games at an average of 18.66 and an economy of 8. He also took three four wicket hauls and has been retained by the Kings XI Punjab who has invested heavily in the auction bringing in the likes of Sam Curran in a bid to land the title in 2019.
Tye will be a major factor of Kings XI are to achieve that goal.
Who was the player of the series?
West Indian Sunil Narine claimed the honour of player of the season after scoring 357 runs and taking 17 wickets for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The right-arm off spinner’s figures came across sixteen games as the Knight Riders were dumped out of the tournament in the playoffs losing to the Rajasthan Royals by 25 runs.
The Knight Riders depend heavily on Narine and have made it clear he is the sides go-to spinner after retaining the 30-year-old for 2019.
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