Incredible comeback from Dhoni's boys against a side who's always had the upper-edge against them in the league. Mumbai steam-rolled the CSK top-order in the powerplay but Ruturaj Gaikwad managed to hold on for them. Gaikwad soaked in all the pressure as Boult and Milne crushed its early hopes. Mumbai's plans in the second half with the ball tapered off as Gaikwad, aided by able cameos from Jadeja and Bravo raked in 100-plus runs in last nine overs.
Mumbai certainly wouldn't have flustered on seeing a 157-run target, however, the wicket began to behave a bit tacky. MI's top-order met with a similar fate and with the big man Pollard failing to recreate the dazzle from the sides' last meeting, it was early curtains for the defending champs.
MI 136/8 in 20 overs: Bravo to Milne. OUT! Swings on the slower one and finds the fielder at deep mid-wicket. The ball rushes onto the lower end of the bat and Milne fails to power it off the fence. That must be it for MI. Chahar, the new man, falls first ball. Another slower one from Bravo and Chahar drags it straight to Raina at short midwicket. And that's it! CSK wins by 20 runs. Bravo finishes up with a couple of yorkers and what a comeback win has this been for the yellow army! Adam Milne c sub (K Gowtham) b Bravo 15 (15b 0x4 1x6); Rahul Chahar c Raina b Bravo 0 (1b)
MI 132/6 in 19 overs: Tiwary creams the off-side fence with a boundary off the first ball. He nudges one and sets off on a quick single. Milne makes up for it with a massive six over long-off. Shardul errs with a couple of slower-ones that are too wide off the mark outside off-stump. He finishes up with a neat delivery that skims past Milne's arc. MI needs 24 from one over.
MI 118/6 in 18 overs: Tiwary goes for the ramp and MS spills a catch! Bravo at short fine leg was all set to gobble it but Dhoni running backwards dishes it off the tip of his gloves. He reacts in anguish against Bravo who argues that he was well in line to grab it. Well, the game is still theirs to lose. MI needs 39 in 12.
MI 108/6 in 17 overs: The bowlers are all finding the spot at the moment. Hazlewood keeps it full and the batters are forced to scoop it off their feet to find the singles.
MI 104/6 in 16 overs: 100 up for MI. Bravo continues to drill in the blockhole and there isn't much that Milne can do about it. The batters churn a few singles as Chennai holds a firm grip on the game now.
Right, MI needs 60 off 30 balls. Bravo returns.
MI 97/6 in 15 overs: Moeen to Krunal. OUT! MI committing harakiri at the centre. Krunal sets off on a illusionary single and is rightly sent back by his partner. Bravo picks up the ball in a flash at midwicket and parries it to Dhoni who flips the bails in a flash. Krunal Pandya run out (Bravo/†Dhoni) 4 (5b)
Moeen's back
MI 91/5 in 14 overs: Hazlewood to Pollard. GONEEE! Massive jolt for MI right there! That's a corker from Hazlewood as a sharp nip-backer absolutely flummoxes Pollard. He fails to read it completely as the ball zips in from the length to trap him plumb in front. Kieron Pollard lbw b Hazlewood 15 (14b 1x4 1x6)
Hazlewood returns
MI 87/4 in 13 overs: Another sharp over from Thakur. Thakur fires one in, aiming for Pollard's pads but the big man matches up with a wristy flick. Thakur slackens room on the batters and they resort to singles to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Shardul returns
MI 82/4 in 12 overs: Cracking shot from Tiwary to start the over. Bravo bowls a shade full and Tiwary leans into the drive and finds the gap past extra cover. Pollard gets on strike but keeps his anchors down against Bravo. He continues to step forward to deny Bravo a sense of the stumps.
MI 75/4 in 11 overs: Pollard power! The big biceps make light work of a floater from Jadeja. The pressure of the situation doesn't matter. Pollard simply waves his bat over long-on and finds a massive six.
Jadeja replaces Moeen
MI 62/3 in 10 overs: Bravo to Kishan. GONE! Straight to Raina at covers. MS gets his best man off from first slip and right in front for Kishan. The ball stops a bit on the wicket once again as Kishan aims to slam it for four. Pollard, the new man and Dhoni comes up to the wicket. Bravo fails to complement with a fine delivery as a wide delivery outside off has Pollard cram it through covers for four.
Bravo into the attack
MI 54/3 in 9 overs: Fifty up for MI. Moeen continues to float the ball in and the batters tread cautiously with singles throughout the over. The players head for a timeout.
MI 48/3 in 8 overs: Thakur mixes up the lengths and Kishan fails to pierce the gaps to rotate strike. Just the three runs off the over as the chase nears the halfway mark.
MI 45/3 in 7 overs: Moeen floats it in and keeps it full. Kishan prods forward to neatly see him off the stumps. Just the three runs in the over. Pressure quietly shifting towards the MI camp.
Moeen into the attack
MI 41/3 in 6 overs: Thakur to Suryakumar. OUT! The magic man does it again! No timing whatsoever from SKY as he aims to go downtown for a biggie. Thakur induces the leading edge that lobs up straight to du Plessis at mid-off. Easy for Faf and CSK are right back in this one. Suryakumar Yadav c du Plessis b Thakur 3 (7b)
Thakur into the attack
MI 35/2 in 5 overs: Chahar to Anmolpreet. OUT! Castles him in style! An inch-perfect knuckle-ball from Chahar to end a promising start for Anmol. He fails to read it completely and the ball simply skims past his defence to smash the stumps. Anmolpreet Singh b Chahar 16 (14b 2x4 1x6)
MI 34/1 in 4 overs: Welcome to the big league, Anmol! Two exquisite pick-up blows off Hazlewood helps him on his way. Anmol judges the length early and simply flicks his blade to find the midwicket fence for four. He follows up with a sizzling thud that flies to the stands on the on-side. Massive! He's not done just yet. A beautiful check drive springs off the bat as Hazlewood offers room outside the off-stump. Fine over for MI.
MI 20/1 in 3 overs: Chahar to de Kock. OUT! Trapped plumb in front! Chahar slides it in sharply to beat de Kock's blade and hit the pad. He sets off in celebration but umpire Illingworth is unmoved. MSD has a chuckle behind the stumps before citing a DRS. The replays suggest three reds and de Kock's fine start comes to an untimely end. Quinton de Kock lbw b Chahar 17 (12b 3x4)
MI 14/0 in 2 overs: All too easy for QDK. de Kock has an eternity at hand as he moves to the off-side and parries Hazlewood over fine leg for a beautiful boundary. de Kock sets himself well on the crease and smashes another boundary over mid-off. A reprieve for de Kock as Ruturaj drops a tough one at midwicket.
Hazlewood from the other end
MI 2/0 in 1 over: Fine start from Chahar. He keeps a fine line of attack and gets a hint of shape away from de Kock. de Kock aims for a drive but corrects it off the last second. Just the two runs to start off the chase for MI.
Deepak Chahar up with the ball .
Back for the chase! Quinton de Kock and debutant Anmolpreet Singh walk out to the middle.
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Mumbai Indians began well through Trent Boult and Adam Milne; the duo reducing CSK to 24/4 in the Powerplay. Ruturaj and Jadeja then rebuilt with a fifty stand before Gaikwad and Bravo teed off at the death. Bravo's 23 off 8 and Gaikwad's unbeaten 58-ball 88 has given Chennai a chance to put up a fight. Mumbai needs 157 to win. Back with the chase shortly.
Bravo perishes. He departs for 23 off 8, a job well done one would say. Bumrah has a wicket to his name. Meanwhile, Gaikwad continues to impress with his strokeplay - goes inside out over extra cover for four. Moves into the 80s. Bumrah gets the yorker right next ball, Gaikwad can only take a quick single - 1lb. Shardul Thakur takes a single and gets Gaikwad on strike, who finishes with a beautiful six. The sheer audacity. He has swept Bumrah over backward square for six! CSK have hammered 108 off the last nine. Ruturaj unbeaten on 88.
CSK 141/5 in 19 overs: Holy smokes!
Bravo's in some mood as he waltzes Boult for two massive sixes. The fuller one lands all the way over the long-off stands. Boult goes short and Bravo swivels in style to smash another six. Gaikwad finishes the over on a high for CSK as he crunches another six over midwicket.
CSK 117/5 in 18 overs: DJ's in the house! Milne fires one in outside off and Bravo unleashes the customary slap over covers! Clean strike off the length and the ball sails to the stands for six, some start!
Milne returns
CSK 107/5 in 17 overs: Bumrah to Jadeja. OUT! Miscues the slog and it lands straight in Pollard's big buckets at long-off. Jaddu and Gaikwad were all set to take off and Bumrah tightens the screws once again. Bravo's the new man in.
CSK 98/4 in 16 overs: Fifty for Ruturaj Gaikwad! Stand and deliver. Gaikwad patiently waits for Pollard's reach to enter the zone. He handles them with absolute disdain as he thumps one to the midwicket boundary. Pollard continues to toss it loose on length. Gaikwad cashes in again as he drills another four down the ground.
Polly's in again
CSK 87/4 in 15 overs: Chahar keeps it wicket-to-wicket and the batters resort to quick singles. CSK inching towards the three-figure mark. The players break for the timeout.
CSK 81/4 in 14 overs: Jadeja's in brilliant touch. Bumrah tucks one in sharply from around the wicket but Jaddu flicks it with ease towards deep midwicket. Sensible batting from the duo to see off Bumrah with some good running between the wickets.
Bumrah returns
CSK 74/4 in 13 overs: Exquisite from Gaikwad! Chahar fends short but attacks the stumps. Gaikwad does well to use the depth of the crease. He rocks back and opens up the off-side with another classy cut through point for four. CSK on the move as Pollard's eases up on his plans.
CSK 66/4 in 12 overs: High-class, Ruturaj! Pandya slides one in and Gaikwad steps down to smash him for a gorgeous six over long-off. And that's fifty up for CSK! Gaikwad has clearly risen the bar. He unsettles Krunal further with another reverse-sweep over the inner circle for another boundary.
CSK 48/4 in 11 overs: Chahar continues to float the ball to the batters. The run-rate has taken a massive dip as Jadeja, Gaikwad agree to take it slow. They exchange strike with a couple of singles as Mumbai maintains a tight lease on proceedings.
CSK 44/4 in 10 overs:
Krunal maintains a thin line of attack. He slides the ball in and Gaikwad attempts a sweep. He has a bit of a scare as the ball lobs up behind the keeper. Krunal then rushes one to Jadeja who does well to wade out of trouble with a sharp push through mid-on.
Krunal replaces Pollard
CSK 35/4 in 9 overs: Thick edged and dropped by QDK! Chahar bowls on the slower side throughout the over, wafting the ball through the air to both batters. Gaikwad attempts to find the gap behind point as he rocks back to cut. Chahar finds the outside edge and it lobs sharply to de Kock who fails to hold on. A tough chance, but dropped nevertheless.
Rahul Chahar into the attack
CSK 31/4 in 8 overs: Polly's lack of pace nearly foxes Jadeja. The ball takes an eternity to reach the far end and Jadeja nearly misses it as the ball dips low towards his pads. Jadeja manages to keep some wood on it and scrape through.
Pollard replaces Milne
CSK 27/4 in 7 overs: Jadeja gets off the mark with a fine drive through the covers off Bumrah. Bumrah follows up with a nagging bouncer that hits Jaddu flush on the front glove. He's in some pain, surely CSK can't afford another casualty after Rayudu here.
Bumrah into the attack
CSK 24/4 in 6 overs: Milne to Dhoni. OUT!! Oh no, MS, what have you done? Deft execution from Boult as he moves a couple of fuller deliveries and follows up with a quick bouncer. Dhoni attempts the Nataraja pull and the ball flies straight into the hands of the deep square leg fielder. Absolute shambles for CSK at the end of the powerplay. Dhoni c Boult b Milne 3(5)
CSK 18/3 in 5 overs: Dhoni gets off the mark with a quick singles. Boult places a short leg but Dhoni opens up a gap on the off in customary style and sets off on a swift run. The pressure of raising the scoring is on Gaikwad. Boult continues to maintain the line as Gaikwad steps out to slog over mid-on. The ball finds the edge and drifts over the short third-man fielder for four.
CSK 11/3 in 4 overs: A streaky boundary for Gaikwad. Milne continues to rush in with seething pace. He fires in another quick bouncer and Gaikwad lands a hook to the backward square leg boundary.
Dhoni at the middle!
CSK 7/3 in 3 overs: Boult to Raina. OUT! CSK in absolute tatters. A bizarre innings from Raina comes to an awry end. Boult manages to unsettle him early with the short ball and gets Raina to move forward and force him to attack his way out of trouble. He aims for a slog but gets a toe edge on it that's taken easily at point. Suresh Raina c Chahar b Boult 4 (6b 1x4)
CSK 3/2 in 2 overs: Milne to Moeen. GONEEE! Smacks one straight to Tiwary at covers. What a start for Mumbai! A loose shot once again as Ali mistimes the drive and falls for nought. Fiery start indeed for Milne. Rayudu cops a sharp one that springs up to nearly knock him off his feet. Rayudu winces in pain. He's going off the field! Moeen Ali c Tiwary b Milne 0 (3b)
Milne into the attack
CSK 1/1 in 1 over: Boult to du Plessis. OUT! Edged and flies straight to short third man! Faf falls for a duck! A cracking start for the left-armer. Boult offers a hint of width after tucking a couple into Faf's pads. Faf has a go at it but the ball clips the outside edge and zips to Milne who completes a fine catch. Faf du Plessis c Milne b Boult 0 (3b)
Trent Boult up with the new ball!
Game on, folks! The second leg is upon us as Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad walk out for CSK. Pollard leads the blue army out to the field.
==============================
7:15PM IST: Well, the build-up itself is not short of drama. Massive news from the MI camp as their talismanic skipper Rohit is out of the clash, fitness issues nagging him once again. A surprise exclusion for Hardik too, although the reason remains unclear. CSK barring the cloud over the forms of Raina, Rayudu and MS, hosts in-form match-winners in Moeen Ali, Jaddu, Shardul and Bravo.
Playing XIs: Chennai Super Kings:
Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood
Mumbai: Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Anmolpreet Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
TOSS: CSK wins the toss, elects to bat first
TOSS TIME: And it's breaking, Rohit Sharma is out of the contest. Pollard to lead.
6:55PM IST: Rohit seems to be in some discomfort as he undergoes certain fitness tests. He's away from the huddle and Sunil Gavaskar reckons the Hitman is out of this contest. Toss in five minutes!
PITCH REPORT: A hard pitch on offer with scorching hot conditions in Dubai. The wicket looks good for batting, says Kevin Pietersen who also points out the green tinge on the surface. The pacers have taken a chunk of wickets here in 2020. Chasing would be the way to go for the side that wins the toss.
6:40PM IST: The maverick marks his return!
6:30PM IST: Fancy a game, gentlemen?
6:05PM IST: Here's a quick look at some interesting numbers ahead of the clash.
FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE OF IPL 2021
5:52PM IST: MSD returns!
Match Review
It is time for some thrills and spills once again as IPL 2021 resumes in the UAE after a gap of four months. Mumbai Indians takes on Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Sunday. You can read the full preview here = MI vs CSK
The El Clasico is here!
5:30PM IST: CRED strikes gold, once again!
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