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Gujarat Titans (GT) wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha broke Shane Watson's record with his 54-run knock in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad. Saha became the oldest player to score a half-century in an IPL final.
Saha achieved the record aged at 38 years and 217 days. The previous record was held by former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shane Watson. The Australian cricketer scored 59-ball 80 against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a one-run loss in IPL 2019 final.
Watson was 37 years and 329 days old then. Watson is followed by Faf du Plessis (37 years and 94 days in IPL 2021) and Mike Hussey (37 years in IPL 2012).
Saha’s knock
Saha attacked right from the start after CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl first. Saha's catch was dropped in the fifth over by Deepak Chahar off his own bowling. He was batting on 21 then. He went on to score 54 runs from 39 deliveries. Chahar got his wicket in the 14th over with a leg-cutter. The opener top edged it and Dhoni took an easy catch. His 54-run knock was laced with five fours and one six.
He shared a 64-run partnership for the second wicket with Sai Sudharsan who went on to score a record-breaking 94. GT posted a total of 214/4, the highest innings score in an IPL final.
Saha in IPL finals
This is not the first time Saha has performed at the big stage. In IPL 2014 final, for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), he scored an unbeaten 115 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a losing cause. He became the first batter to score a century in an IPL final. Watson became the second to do so in IPL 2018 final with 117-run knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Saha’s best IPL season
The 38-year-old end IPL 2023 with 371 runs from 17 matches at an average of 23.19 including two half-centuries. This was the best IPL season for Saha with the bat. In IPL 2014, he scored 362 runs from 17 games for the Punjab-based franchise.
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