MI vs CSK Preview – Rohit, Surya help Mumbai extend their winning momentum
Mumbai Indians prevailed over Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets and 26 deliveries to spare in Match 38 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 20. This marked MI’s third consecutive victory after a disappointing start to the season.
The first three overs of the game yielded only 16 runs for CSK as MI pacer Ashwani Kumar sent Rachin Ravindra (five off nine) back on the first delivery of his spell. 17-year-old IPL debutant, Ayush Mhatre, clattered the last three balls of the over for a four and two sixes, but a well-judged catch by Mitchell Santner at long-on meant Mhatre had to walk back for a breezy 32 (15). Santner also removed Shaik Rasheed (19 off 20) a few overs later.
CSK were 70/3 at the halfway stage, but a 15-run 15th over led CSK to 118 for the loss of no additional wickets. Ashwani was taken apart for 24 in his second over by Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja. Dube scored 50 off 32 while Bumrah ended up claiming MS Dhoni (four off six) to end up with figures of 2/25 in four overs. Jadeja ended up unbeaten on 53* (35), as CSK set a 177-run target for MI.
MI were off to a positive start with the bat. Apart from a quiet over by Ravichandran Ashwin, the others travelled the distance. Ryan Rickelton (24 off 19) perished right after the powerplay concluded, but MI got to 93/1 at the end of 10 overs. Rohit Sharma, coming in as an Impact Player, struck a 33-ball fifty, his first of this season, to end the 12th over of the innings.
After a tight first over by Noor Ahmad, he leaked 15 and 16 runs in his second and third over, respectively. Matheesha Pathirana conceded 20 runs in four deliveries in the 16th over, with Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav ending up unbeaten on 76* (45) and 68* (30), respectively. Other than Ashwin (0/25 in four overs), each of the other CSK bowlers was expensive on the night.
Top Performers of the match
Rohit Sharma (76* off 45)
The former skipper seemed well and truly back to his best during his time in the middle. He was looking at ease against the opposition’s bowling attack. Rohit’s power-packed knock entailed four fours and six sixes.
Jasprit Bumrah (2/25 in four overs)
The right-arm pace-bowling spearhead bowled a total of nine deliveries during his spell. He didn’t concede a single maximum in the game.
What’s next for both sides?
MI will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Wednesday, April 23. CSK will also be locking horns with the same opposition in Chennai on Friday, April 25. Both games are scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm (IST).
