While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) walked away with all the limelight following their Indian Premier League 2018 (IPL 2018) final victory, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has sent a heartfelt message for runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The Kane Williamson-led side lost the summit clash by eight wickets after Shane Watson’s unbeaten century took the game away from them. Tendulkar, who is Mumbai Indians’ icon, took to Twitter and praised Sunrisers’ teamwork.

“Hard luck @SunRisers. You really played well, displayed quality teamwork and thoroughly deserved to be in the finals. You can proudly hold your heads high,” wrote Tendulkar. SRH, the 2016 champions, were playing in their second IPL final. IPL 2018 Awards: Rishabh Pant, Sunil Narine Take Home Most Awards; Check Complete List.

Ahead of the season, Sunrisers lost captain David Warner who was banned following a ball-tampering incident against South Africa. The management then handed the captaincy responsibility to Williamson, who did a fine job. The New Zealand cricketer not only responded positively to the job but ended up being the highest run-scorer of the IPL 2018.

The SRH captain walked away with the Orange Cap as he scored 735 runs from 17 matches, which includes eight half-centuries. Williamson was instrumental in taking SRH to the playoffs as the team finished on top of the points table after the league-stage matches.

The defeat in the final was SRH’s fourth against CSK in this year’s IPL. Super Kings after winning both the league-stage matches against Sunrisers defeated them in the Qualifier 1 and now in the final. With it, CSK became the only team to beat a single opponent four times in a season. Meanwhile, CSK equalled the record three IPL title wins with Mumbai Indians.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2018 11:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).