Chennai bowlers expertly derailed Mumbai’s chase of a 207-run target, leading to a 20-run victory at Wankhede Stadium.
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Non-violent celebrations of Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana, a devoted fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrates in a much milder and peaceful manner. Instead of a vigorous jump, Pathirana lifts his fingers skywards, showing his wicket tally, then prays silently and ends with a smile. Pathirana, a devout Buddhist who studied in a religious school, aligns his celebration with his peaceful beliefs. Although his celebrations are gentle, the balls he propels from his low-slung arm are nothing short of intense.MI vs CSK IPL 2024
Applauding hands for Thakur
Shardul Thakur’s first three overs were not remarkable, as they were full of wayward balls that drew stares from MS Dhoni. However, Thakur has a talent for turning games around and redeemed himself by taking a crucial catch of Tilak Varma, breaking a dangerous partnership. He followed this with a perfect over, displaying his expertise with slower deliveries, limiting Mumbai to just two singles. Thakur’s efforts earned him generous applause from the Mumbai crowd.
How settled are Chennai?
Despite having played 5 matches prior to Sunday, Chennai Super Kings are still struggling with a consistent lineup due to injuries and adjustments. This instability has affected their performance, especially away from home. The unexpected change of Ajinkya Rahane opening the batting alongside Rachin Ravindra instead of Ruturaj Gaikwad was a sign of these ongoing challenges.
The match-up masters
Shivam Dube‘s impressive six-hitting ability has disrupted opposition plans during the middle overs. This forced Mumbai Indians to strategically use their resources, starting with Mohammad Nabi opening the bowling. Despite this, CSK’s middle-order capitalized on their favorable match-ups against spinners.
Ruturaj’s flying start
Ruturaj Gaikwad shined at Wankhede, coming in at No. 3 and achieving his best start of the season. By the end of the powerplay, he scored 29 off 17 balls at a strike rate of 170.6, showcasing his adaptability in targeting different areas of the field. Coach Stephen Fleming praised Gaikwad’s performance, dispelling any doubts about his abilities.
The big over CSK needed
CSK required a strong score to compete with Mumbai’s batting power. After a slower start, they gained momentum with a 67-run burst over five overs, thanks to Shivam Dube’s explosive batting and Gaikwad’s increased pace.
Mumbai’s Chennai fans(MI vs CSK IPL 2024)
Chennai Super Kings fans are known for their loud support, even during away games. Their presence at Wankhede was evident with a significant sea of yellow and enthusiastic cheers for every CSK success and MS Dhoni’s appearances.
Dube on fire… again
Shivam Dube continued his dominant batting form, hitting deep into the stands regardless of the delivery’s line or length. His consistent performance has raised discussions about his prospects for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
6,6,6
MS Dhoni’s brief but impactful appearance at the crease electrified Wankhede Stadium. He hit three sixes off Hardik Pandya in the final over, showcasing his trademark power and finesse. The audience erupted in celebration, and for those moments, nothing else mattered except the presence of the legendary Dhoni.