In the 27th game of IPL 2018, Mumbai Indians (MI) claimed their second victory in this season after beating the hosts Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 8 wickets (with 2 balls to spare) at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium (Pune) on Saturday night. CSK scored 169/5 in 20 overs while MI successfully chased down that target in 19.4 overs after losing just 2 wickets.
MI skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first. After losing their opener Shane Watson at the early stage, CSK had a good partnership between another in-form opener Ambati Rayudu and no.3 batsman Suresh Raina. They had a 71-run partnership for the second wicket before Rayudu was dismissed for 46 runs off 35 balls.
Since then, Raina took the responsibility to carry on the scoreboard from one side and had another important 46-run partnership with the skipper MS Dhoni for the third wicket. But since Dhoni was dismissed for 26 runs in 21 balls other CSK batsmen failed to help Raina in the last period.
Raina completed his half-century in 35 balls and was not out at the end of 75 runs off 47 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. His brilliant responsible innings helped CSK to put 169/5 on the board at the end of first innings.
Among the MI bowlers, Mitchell McClenaghan (2/26) and Krunal Pandya (2/32) got two wickets each while Hardik Pandya (1/39) took the other wicket.
In reply, the visiting team Mumbai had a good start as their openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis put a 69-run partnership for the first wicket. That partnership set the game for the visiting side which carried on by the next partnership between Lewis and skipper Rohit Sharma. They put another 59-run partnership for the second wicket.
For the wicket, Rohit put the required unbroken 42 runs partnership with Hardik Pandya while the defending champions claimed their second victory of this season in 19.4 overs after losing only two wickets.
While Yadav (44 runs off 34 balls) and Lewis (47 runs off 43 balls) both missed their half-centuries, Rohit Sharma was unbeaten on 56 runs off 33 balls and Hardik Pandya was not out for 13 runs off 8 balls.
Among the CSK bowlers, only Harbhajan Singh (1/20) and Dwayne Bravo (1/21) were able to pick at least one wicket.
Here are some Twitter reactions of the match:
#MumbaiIndians needed their captain to play the kind of innings he can. Top effort from #RohitSharma
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 28, 2018
My MOM decided: @ImRo45 for batting brilliantly, but more importantly captaining superbly to restrict Chennai to just 169
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 28, 2018
Well played Rohit. Captain's knock and Mumbai who are a May specialist in the IPL, keep their campaign alive. Didn't expect anything else.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 28, 2018
A solid, constructive won for #MumbaiIndians #MI
Captain's innings by #Hitman @ImRo45A chance to breathe…#MIvsCSK #CSKvsMI
— Dinesh (@DineshsingAG) April 28, 2018
That is what @ImRo45 is capable of. If he stays till the end without getting out for a wrong shot, he can win the games for his team. Against SRH, I thot he’ll do that, but being a captain that shot in that low scoring game🙅♂️🙏 #IPL18 #CSKvsMI
— Surya Kalaga (@suryasteja) April 28, 2018
An @msdhoni six a day keeps the tensions away! pic.twitter.com/T7oXxfFTGK
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 28, 2018
Never Doubt Those Hands. Safest On Planet. Sir Jadeja. 💪🙏💛#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/FEW9zM3hM5
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 28, 2018
Jadeja can't bat. Jadeja can't bowl. Jadeja can perfectly fit in an HR role #CSKvsMI
— cric_bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) April 28, 2018
Very unusual innings from Evin Lewis. Rare to see him go 47(43). Pressure mounting
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 28, 2018
In case you missed it, @ChennaiIPL finish their innings at 169-5 – just the same number of runs they made in the season opener against @mipaltan, although on that occasion they were chasing! #CSKvMI #VIVOIPL
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) April 28, 2018
Captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front
Haters stay away we are known for comebacks
Comeback be like this
Here on no stopping #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/0ThLGThtha— Rohit Kerala FC (@iStanRohit) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/its_kutty/status/990285081645170688
Many won't agree but an MS Dhoni post match talk teaches a lot more about the game and its flow. They were a few short for their bowling lineup and it should mean non performers take notice and bowlers look to execute better.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 28, 2018
Rayudu garu at it again!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 28, 2018
Meanwhile @DelhiDaredevils to 8th position – #CSKvsMI #MIvsCSK pic.twitter.com/TJAgf5MnLV
— Sachin Goyal (@sachinasticc) April 28, 2018
Dwayne Bravo Was Not Given The Last Over Because Then #MumbaiIndians Would've Lost And Asked Rohit Sharma To Resign As Captain. Mastermind MS Dhoni Has Just Ensured #CSK Don't Meet Mumbai Indians In Finals. 💛🙊🙏#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI #MIvsCSK #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/VlnTuE8BOO
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 28, 2018
Several players have played terrific knocks this IPL, but @RayuduAmbati the batting star so far:for consistency as well as dazzling strokes
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 28, 2018
