With the countdown for IPL 2025 underway, cricket enthusiasts are looking back on one of the most exciting finals in the league's history: the 2019 encounter between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). On 12 May 2019 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, MI defeated CSK by one run to claim their fourth IPL title.
Match Recap:
MI's Batting: Mumbai scored a humble 149/8, with Kieron Pollard leading the charge with 41 runs from 25 balls.
CSK's Chase: Shane Watson's thrilling 80 from 59 balls almost won the game for CSK, but Lasith Malinga's magical last over won it for MI.
Turning Point: Malinga's slower ball to Shardul Thakur on the last ball, which saw him get out LBW, will always be remembered in cricket history.
This game captured the spirit of the IPL: drama, ability, and heart-stopping conclusions. As supporters wait with bated breath for IPL 2025, the 2019 final is a reminder of why this league is so compelling.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Mumbai Indians Official Website, Wikipedia, March 18, 2025