IPL 2019 | I am pleased to see all this at a late stage in my life, says Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir was a force to be reckoned with in the Indian Premier League this season and was one of the major architects behind CSK reaching the finals for the ninth time in the IPL history. In the final too, he didn’t step back and produced an incredible performance with the ball by finishing with figures of 2/23 from three overs in the final, picking up the wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, to break the back of Mumbai’s top order.

As the season is done and dusted, the purple cap holder has stated that he is forever grateful to CSK for giving him the opportunity when none else believed in him.

“I am really grateful to Chennai for giving me an opportunity at this age. I just want to keep going and would like to thank my support staff. It's sad to lose, but credit to Mumbai and they deserve this victory. I am pleased to see all this at a late stage in my life,” Tahir said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

With a tally of 26 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 6.69, the South African has now taken the most wickets for a spinner in a single IPL season. In the process, he broke the record of Sunil Narine, who had finished with 24 wickets from 15 matches in Kolkata Knight Riders’ championship run in 2012. After accomplishing such a record, Tahir stated that he would love to carry on for as long as he can.

“It is the best league and I have been working hard for very long in my life, it isn't easy to bowl to the Indian and the overseas players. I love the game and I would love to carry on for as long as I can,” Tahir said.