IPL 2018 - Halfway Review: From Dhoni's match-winning six to MI's misfortune, here are 5 most nail-biting finishes

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 has reached its halfway mark. With each team finishing its seventh game by Sunday, the tournament is well and truly entering its business end.

The cash-rich T20 extravaganza hasn't failed to live up to its billing. There has been some scintillating cricket played so far, with all eight teams giving it their absolute all to come out on top.

There have been some matches, though, that have stood out for the sheer emotions they managed to evoke among fans. Apart from the ginormous hits, brilliant wickets and eye-popping catches, it's the edge of the seat finishes that stay with a viewer. And there have been plenty of those in IPL 2018.

Of course, there have also been hugely entertaining matches where the likes of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers have proved their might, but the end results of those clashes were fairly one-sided.

To mark the halfway stage of the tournament, here's a look at the five most nail-biting finishes so far.

Match 1 - MI vs CSK

The tournament kicked-off with a bang! Chennai Super Kings (CSK), returning after a two-year hiatus, defeated the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in their own den in the opening match of IPL 2018.

It was just the start the tournament needed as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Yellow Army, perhaps the most adored outfit in IPL, stole victory from the jaws of defeat.

Chasing 165, CSK's chances were all but over before Dwayne Bravo decide to turn it on. The West Indian all-rounder went on a six-hitting spree as CSK went from 118 for 8 in the 17th to 159 for 9 at the start of the final over.

The sensational comeback by CSK served as a strong message to the other seven teams that the two-time champions mean business.

Match 5 - CSK vs KKR

The second match on this list, too, features CSK. Playing in front of their worshipping home fans in Chennai for the first time in two years, Dhoni's boys gave the crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium just what they wanted - a pulsating finish.

Set a mammoth target of 203 to chase after Kolkata Knight Riders' Andre Russell went berserk, smashing 11 sixes in his 36-ball 88, the home team got just the start they needed by openers Shane Watson (42) and Ambati Rayudu (39).

Although Thala (Dhoni) and Chinna Thala (Suresh Raina) failed to deliver in the highly anticipated encounter, Sam Billings played the anchor's role with a well made 56 off 23.

Despite the Englishman's efforts, CSK were left with seven runs to get in the final over. Ravindra Jadeja's humongous six on the penultimate ball of the match did it for the hosts, sending the Chepauk crowd into delirium.

Match 7 - MI vs SRH

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is known for producing massive scores. A total of 180 is considered just about par on most days. This clash between MI and 2016 champs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), however, was one of those rare, low-scoring thrillers.

Batting first, the hosts could manage just 147. The visitors would've fancied their chances at the halfway stage. Constant loss of wickets, though, meant SRH needed 11 runs off the final over with just one wicket in hand.

Deepak Hooda hit a six first up, but Australian medium-pacer Ben Cutting came back strongly and took the game to the last ball. Number 11 Billy Stanlake then became a hero by carving out a boundary and taking his team over the line.

Match 9 - MI vs DD

Mumbai Indians feature on three occasions on this list. All three times, though, Rohit Sharma's men end up on the losing side. This, perhaps, gives some perspective to their dismal positioning on the points table.

MI took on Delhi Daredevils (DD) with both sides desperate for a win. MI's top three - Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis and Ishan Kishan - ensured the home team got to a competitive score of 194 batting first.

However, DD opener Jason Roy had other plans. The Englishman went on to play one of the finest knocks of IPL 2018, blasting an unbeaten 91 off 53. With the help of Rishabh Pant's quick-fire 25-ball 47, DD notched up their first victory of the tournament. The icing on the cake, of course, was Roy hitting the winning runs off the final ball of the match.

Match 24 - RCB vs CSK

Ask any Indian fan, including the great Sunil Gavaskar, what their favourite cricket memory is. The answer will, in most cases, be the final of the 2011 ICC World Cup. That surreal moment - Dhoni hitting the match-winning six - will live on forever.

When CSK took on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2018, fans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru were given a slight idea of what the atmosphere at the Wankhede must've been that fateful night.

Dhoni played a vintage knock of 70* from 34 to take CSK past RCB's impressive score of 205. The highlight of the match? With just two balls to spare, Dhoni sealing the game by sending the ball sailing over the ropes.