Pune: They don’t call him ‘Hitman’ for nothing. Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma (56 no, 33b, 6xc4, 2×6) came to the party when it was required the most to guide his team to an eight-wicket win over table-toppers Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a match of IPL-XI here, Saturday.
In the process Ro-hit got his 34th IPL half century as MI registered their second victory in seven outings. The turning point came in the 19th over with MI requiring 22 to win off 12 balls. Rohit got into the act, hitting Shardul Thakur for four boundaries in the over to make the last six deliveries a mere formality.
In a drama of sorts with MI requiring five off six, CSK’s best bowler Dwayne Bravo (3/21) refused to bowl the last over and Imran Tahir was asked to complete the formalities. Hardik Pandya played a deft touch to third man with two deliveries left to take MI over the line.
Suryakumar Yadav (44, 34b, 5×4, 1×6) and West Indian Evin Lewis (47, 43b, 3×4, 2×6) had given MI the platform with a solid opening stand of 69 in chase of the victory target of 170. After the departure of the two openers, Rohit played the innings that he is known to play – silken grace mixed with raw power.
Mi needed this win desperately to stay in contention for a play-off spot and their skipper gave them a glimmer of hope with a sublime knock.
Earlier Suresh Raina (75, 47b, 6×4, 4×6) smashed his way to an unbeaten half century as CSK produced a disciplined batting effort on a double-paced track to a competitive 169 for five. Ambati Rayudu (46, 35b, 2×4, 4×6) continued his impressive run and set the foundation for CSK. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26, 21b, 3×4, 1×6) also chipped in with a cameo. But MI bowled well in the death overs to restrict them. Mitchell McClenaghan (2/26) and Krunal Pandya (2/32) were the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai, while Hardik Pandya (1/39) also scalped one wicket.
Put into bat, Rayudu gave CSK a flying start with a six off McClenaghan in the third ball. His partner Shane Watson, however, couldn’t stay long. Raina then joined Rayudu and the duo blasted a six each to accumulate 15 runs in the fifth over. The dup continued merrily as CSK posted 50 in the power play.
Raina and Rayudu added 71 runs for the second wicket, before Dhoni came to join the party. Just when it seemed, he would once more dominate the MI attack, Dhoni hit a McClenaghan full toss down Lewis’ throat at deep cover. One can easily call it the turning point of the game as the latter batsmen, failed to get a go on against the MI attack. One ball later, new man Bravo was also sent packing with Markande taking the catch at point. Raina then smashed Bumrah over deep mid-wicket to take CSK across the 150-mark. Sam Billing also tried to score big but ended up hitting straight to Cutting at long-on. Eventually, Raina ended the innings with a six off the last ball.
Brief scores: CSK 169/5 (Suresh Raina 75 n o, Ambati Rayudu 46; Mitchell McClenaghan 2/26) lost to MI 170/2 (Rohit Sharma 56 n o, Evin Lewis 47; Harbhajan Singh 1/20) by eight wickets.
Agencies
