In what was a contest between two of this season’s worst performing teams, Chennai Super Kings came out on top by three wickets. Batting first, the Mumbai Indians put up a total of 155 runs in their 20 overs. Both the openers – Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan – were dismissed for a golden duck while batting one down, Dewald Brevis managed just four runs.
But the middle order comprising Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma and Hrithik Shokeen stabilized the ship. Surya scored 32 off 21, while Tilak Verma remained unbeaten on 51. Mukesh Choudhary was the best bowler for Chennai – he picked up three wickets for just 19 runs in his three overs. Dwayne Bravo was a little expensive but he picked up two wickets.
Chasing 156 to win, CSK lost Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck. Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu chipped in with the maximum of runs. But the showstopper and match winner was MS Dhoni. CSK needed 16 off the last four balls when Dhoni hit Jaydev Unadkat for 6, 4, 2, 4 in a staggering last-ball finish.
"Actually we were very tense, the way the game was going, but at some stage, we knew that the great finisher of the game was there and if he played to the last ball, he can definitely finish the match. He showed the world that he's still here and he can finish the game," CSK captain Ravindra Jadeja said during the post-match ceremony
Mumbai Indians have now lost all seven games they have played so far and are right at the bottom of the points table. With two wins in seven games, Chennai Super Kings are the second last team on the table.
Image credit: IPL