Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not finished finishing games with a boundary yet. Once again, Dhoni taught the world that a game can be won if you just stay and hold your nerves till the end. The veteran finisher scored 16 runs off last four balls to give Jaydev Unadkat nightmares and keep Mumbai Indians (MI) away from their first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The finishing act also keeps CSK somehow afloat in the season with their second win from seven games. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma-led MI's playoffs chances are almost over with seven losses in a row.
Sams’ redemption
CSK's run chase of 156 did not get off to a start they expected. Returning to the side after a 35-run over against Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Pat Cummins, Sams struck off the first ball he bowled. Ruturaj Gaikwad got out for a golden duck as he played the first ball straight to backward point fielder.
Included in place of Moeen Ali, Mitchell Santner walked out to bat at no.3. The Kiwi all-rounder became Sams' second victim with the new ball.
Robin Uthappa was playing the role of an anchor but a full-bloodied pull shot landed in Dewald Brevis' hands at square leg. Uthappa contributed with 30 runs off 25 deliveries. After the opener's wicket, veteran Ambati Rayudu took the responsibility of anchor in run chase. Rayudu paced his innings well.
Meanwhile Shivam Dube became Sams’ third wicket as he returned for a second spell. Dube scored 13 runs from 14 deliveries.
Rayudu continued but an athletic grab from Kieron Pollard at long-off ended his innings. Rayudu scored 40 runs off 35 deliveries. He became Sams’ fourth wicket of the day. Skipper Ravindra Jadeja struggled to get going and got dismissed by on-debut Riley Meredith. With two quick wickets, the run chase looked derailed.
Dhoni masterclass ft. Pretorius
Dhoni did not attack right from the start and let Dwaine Pretorius hit the big shots. Pretorius' 14-ball 22 cameo kept CSK in the game. Till the last over, Dhoni had scored just one boundary. Unadkat needed to defend 17 runs in the last over. He started well with the wicket of Pretorius. Dwayne Bravo did the sane thing of getting Dhoni on strike.
With 16 needed off four deliveries, Dhoni hit Unadkat for a maximum followed by a boundary. On the penultimate delivery, he sprinted between the wickets to get back on strike and score a couple of runs. On the last ball of the innings, under-pressure Unadkat bowled to Dhoni's legs and paid the price. The former CSK skipper finished the game with a boundary and kept defending champions in the hunt. The 40-year-old remained unbeaten for 28 off 13 deliveries including three fours and one six.
Mukesh finishes MI top order
Batting first, MI lost their openers in the first over itself. Mukesh Choudhary struck twice with the new ball to get rid of skipper Rohit and Ishan Kishan for respective ducks. In his next over, he got rid of in-form Brevis, reducing MI for 23/3 in the third over.
Quiet middle overs
Suryakumar scored few boundaries from the other end with Tilak Varma playing himself in. There were a couple of dropped catches. Just when it seemed like MI were rebuilding their innings, Suryakumar took on Mitchell Santner and paid the price for it. Suryakumar got caught at deep square leg by Mukesh in the eighth over. The in-form battter got out for a 21-ball 32.
After the fourth wicket, Varma and Shokeen tried to get MI through middle overs and lay a platform. However, Shokeen charged against Bravo and mistimed. He got caught by Robin Uthappa inside the 30-yard circle.
Good finish
Veteran IPL batter Kieron Pollard walked out to bat at the perfect time. Pollard showed some promise with a four and six each but fell into the trap by hitting straight towards the throat of straight mid-off fielder Dube. Coming to bat at no.8, Sams got one boundary and was dismissed by Bravo.
In the slog overs, Varma got a few shots in and got to his half-century. Unadkat contributed with a crucial cameo. The Saurashtra skipper scored 19 runs off just nine deliveries to help MI post 155/7. On the other end, Varma remained unbeaten for 51 off 43 deliveries including three fours and two sixes.
