IPL 2019 memories: Mumbai's win, Warner and Bairstow's bromance, Ashwin's Mankad and the Universe Boss 2.0

Mumbai Indians' thrilling final-ball win over Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's finale a fitting end to a great tournament

Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga, right, celebrates with teammates after beating Chennai Super Kings to win the 2019 Indian Premier League. AP

Some supporters were hoping the Indian Premier League would hurry up and finish so everyone can focus on the real business of the World Cup instead.

Then we were all treated to a captivating final, as Mumbai Indians captured a fourth title on Sunday night, and are now mourning the end of a tournament that was choc-full of lasting images.

Unlikely bromance

David Warner used to revel in being the attack dog for whatever team he played in. If people did not like him, he did not care.

Jonny Bairstow was one of those whose paths crossed with Warner in the past, with ugly effects.

And yet, pitched together at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad, they were like bosom buddies.

The Indian Premier League: forever building bridges.

Jonny Bairstow, left, and David Warner, forged a formidable batting partnership for Sunrisers Hyderabd. AP Photo

The Mankad

It was feared Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to run out Jos Buttler while he was backing up would popularise such a heinous strategy. Won’t he think of the children!

Anecdotal evidence suggests that it has already had an effect, with clubs in the UK reporting incidences of Mankadding in junior matches.

If only there was a solution? Like the non-striker staying in his crease until the ball has been delivered.

Even in the IPL itself, players seemed to be cutting back on the inches they were stealing. Particularly when Ashwin was bowling.

Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler, right, was a victim of 'Mankading' against Ravi Ashwin. AP Photo

Remarkable Russell

The West Indies have been looking to get Russell back involved in their representative team for some time now. Mainly with a view to him adding to their bowling resources.

Remarkable, then, that he bossed the IPL on the strength of his performances with the bat.

He hit 52 sixes across the course of 13 innings, had a strike-rate of 205, and was way out on his own as the tournament’s most valuable player.

The Universe Boss 2.0 seems a fitting moniker.

Dhoni’s meltdown

MS Dhoni is Captain Cool, right? Well, he is supposed to be.

Turns out, though, he might be cool as ice, but he’s not so nice when he perceives he has been wronged.

His decision to stomp on to the field to berate the umpires for not giving a no ball in the final over of Chennai Super Kings' league match against Rajasthan Royals was a stain on the tournament.

MS Dhoni was fined for his behaviour in Chennai Super Kings's win against Rajasthan Royals. AP Photo

Shot of the tournament 1 – Sir Jadeja’s slip-slap six

Dhoni lost his cool amid the tension of the final over pursuit of 18 to win in Jaipur.

They managed it in the end, with a Ben Stokes over that was bookended by sixes from Ravindra Jadeja – at the start – and then at the end by Mitchell Santner.

Jadeja somehow managed to loft a ball that had pitched well wide off his off-stump, straight back over the bowler’s head.

Jadeja toppled over, and landed on his front. Stokes ended on the turf, too. Five eventful deliveries later, he was down and out.

Shot of the tournament 2 – Dre Russ’ tracer bullet

A shot of the IPL by Russell? Take your pick from any of in excess of 80 he sent to or over the rope in the tournament.

Perhaps the most memorable was that which he hit off Jasprit Bumrah in the match between KKR and Mumbai Indians.

It defied conventional description. Russell backed away to leg, then had to stretch to reach the ball as it zeroed in on the offside wide guideline.

Somehow, as if he was hitting a double-handed off-forehand in tennis, he lasered the ball for six over the extra-cover boundary. At the top of its arc, the ball was barely 10ft off the ground.

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell hit some humdingers in the 2019 IPL season. AP Photo

That run out

CSK seemed certain to win the final against Mumbai Indians, all the way until the moment they didn’t.

They even had their chances after Dhoni was run out by Ishan Kishan, although it did feel like a pivotal moment at the time.

The line, so the Laws dictate, belongs to the fielding team. Had there been no such thing as TV reviews, there is no way he could have been given out.

But Nigel Llong, the third umpire, must be supported in his decision to uphold the dismissal. No part of the rounded base of Dhoni’s bat appeared to be grounded beyond the crease when the bails came off.