Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians on Sunday to stay on course for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Seasoned Ajinkya Rahane opened CSK’s innings with youngster Rachin Ravindra and was out before adding much to the scoreboard. At 8/1 in the second over, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad came through. He had a 52-run partnership with Ravindra. Then, in the eighth over, Rachin was out for 21 off 16 balls.
Shivam Dube came to the crease next and thrashed the Mumbai bowlers. Along with Ruturaj, he scored 90 runs on the score sheet. Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya dismissed his Chennai counterpart who scored 69 off 40 balls. Hardik also took the wicket of Daryl Mitchell. It was the last over of Chennai’s batting innings. With four balls to go, MS Dhoni arrived at the crease.
In his cameo, Mahi hit three consecutive sixes off Hardik and then a couple to claim 20 off 4 balls, at a strike rate of 500.00, setting Mumbai a target of 207.
Rohit Sharma opened with Ishan Kishan and was in great form. The Wankhede saw vintage Rohit as he hit eleven 4s and five 6s to score 105 off 63 balls. It was the third hundred of the season after Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler. Rohit’s second IPL century was his highest score since 2012.
However, Rohit needed support from the opposite side, which was hard to come by. Ishan Kishan was not out on 23 off 15 balls, Suryakumar Yadav was out for a duck and Hardik Pandya scored 2 off 6 balls. Matisha Pathirana dismissed Ishan and Suriya, while Tushar dismissed Deshpande Pandya.
Only Tilak Varma (31 off 20 balls) showed any resistance before Pathirana claimed his wicket. In the 16th over, Mumbai were 134/4, with Rohit Sharma still standing at the other end. Tim David (13 from 5 balls) couldn’t do much after starting with two 6s. Romario Shepherd (1 off 2 balls) was bowled at Pathirany Castle in the 18th over.
