'We were passing trophy to each other.'
A funny game in which two teams kept passing the trophy to each other. That's how Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni described the IPL final, which Mumbai Indians won by one run, in Hyderabad, on Sunday.
The see-saw contest kept fans enthralled as the winner-takes-all contest went to the wire and was decided on the last ball of the tournament.
Initially, it was CSK which had the edge, but Mumbai Indians came back in middle overs. Again, it was Shane Watson who seemed to have tilted it in Chennai's favour, but incredible pace bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga finally swung it Mumbai's way.
"Today was one game we should've done slightly better. It was quite a funny game; we were passing the trophy to each other. Both committed mistakes, and eventually the winning team was the one that committed one mistake less," said Dhoni, after CSK fell short by just one run, chasing 150.
Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings to eight finals, but at the end of this one he was far from a contended skipper.
"As a team we had a good season. But we need to go back and reflect. Wasn't one of those years where we played very good cricket. Middle order never clicked, but somehow we managed," he said.
"Our bowlers did really well. It was not a 150 wicket, but the bowlers kept us in the hunt. They kept getting wickets when it was really needed. Batting, someone kept chipping in and we kept winning. To be consistent next year, we will have to really think hard," he added.
The charismatic former India skipper said the focus will now shift to the World Cup in England.
"It's too early to say right now (about next year's plans). Up next is the World Cup. That's the first priority. After that we will chat about CSK. Nothing against the bowlers, but the batsmen could've done better. Hopefully, yes, we'll see you next year," he said.
