Mumbai: A nervy Mumbai Indians (MI) completed the 98-run chase, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets in an IPL match here at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Daniel Sams and Riley Meredith teared apart CSK, bundling them out for just 97. This was CSK's second lowest score, having been folded for 79 against the same opposition and at the same venue in the 2013 edition. In reply, MI had a shaky start, losing Ishan Kishan (6) in the fifth ball of the first over.
The MI opener poked a ball which was well away from his body and it landed in the safe hands of keeper MS Dhoni off the bowling of Mukesh Choudhary. The left-arm pacer then trapped Sams (1), who was promoted to No. 3.
With plenty of overs and wickets in hand, MI made things difficult for themselves as skipper Rohit Sharma nicked one behind and walked off for 18. With the reliable Tilak Varma (34 no) in the middle, the game was still in MI's control.
However, further two dismissals opened the match for CSK. Mukesh returned to turn Tristan Stubbs' debut match into a nightmare. The 21-year-old South African was trapped for a two-ball duck. With MI once again cruising, Moeen Ali knocked the stumps of Hrithik Shokeen for 18.
However, Tilak and incoming Tim David (16 no) made no mistake and took MI over the line with 31 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Sams gave MI a dream start as he rattled CSK's top order and reduced the arch-rivals to 17/4 in just 4.1 overs. Devon Conway had a night to forget as he was given leg-before but couldn't challenge the decision since there was a power cut at the venue and DRS was not in use at that time.
Although it looked like the ball was going down leg side, but he had to walk back without scoring in the very first over. The same over fetched Sams another wicket as Moeen fell for a two-ball duck. Moeen looked to go for a pull but got top edge which went to short-midwicket.
Soon Jasprit Bumrah joined the party as he trapped Robin Uthappa for one. The power issue was sorted and the technology was put in place midway through the second over.
Sams further dented CSK's innings as he removed the other dangerous opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (7), who tried to flick but the ball took the edge and keeper completed an easy catch.
Meredith choked the middle order, removing Ambati Rayudu (10) and Shivam Dube (10) in quick succession. Kumar Kartikeya didn't step back from adding his name to two wickets, reducing CSK to 80/8 in 12.5 overs. Captain cool Dhoni (36 no off 33) fought back till the end but ran out of partners. (UNI)
