Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured their second win of the season after a close three-wicket victory over five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Fans witnessed another masterclass from MS Dhoni, who won the match for Chennai on the final ball.
Chasing 156, Chennai's batting efforts were led by Robin Uthappa (30 off 25 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (40 off 35 balls). Dhoni's unbeaten 13-ball 28 in the final over sealed the deal for CSK. Meanwhile, Mumbai have now become the first IPL team to lose their first seven matches of the season.
Among the other teams, Covid-hit Delhi Capitals (DC) did not let off-field issues affect them as they registered a massive win over hapless Punjab Kings (PBKS) to jump two spots on the points table. With a clinical bowling display to reduce PBKS to 115 followed by a run chase that ended in 63 deliveries, DC boosted their net run rate (NRR). Currently, the Delhi-based franchise have the best NRR on the points table at +0.942.
The result of the CSK vs MI clash on April 21 at the DY Patil Stadium did not have an effect on the top five teams on the points table. Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans are still leading the standings with five wins from six games. Coming a close second are the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who are breathing down the Titans’ necks with 10 points from seven games.
Rajasthan Royals (RR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have eight points but are placed third, fourth and fifth on the basis of NRR. Rishabh Pant-led DC are followed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), PBKS.
| Teams | Played | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR | |
| GT | 6 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 0.395 | |
| RCB | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 0.251 | |
| RR | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0.38 | |
| LSG | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 0.124 | |
| SRH | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0.077 | |
| DC | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.942 | |
| KKR | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0.16 | |
| PBKS | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.562 | |
| CSK | 7 | 1 | 5 | 4 | -0.534 | |
| MI | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | -0.892 |
In Friday's fixture, DC take on a resurgent RR as they look for a crucial win in the hopes of breaking back into the top four. A win for Delhi will take them level on points with RR, LSG, and SRH, while RR will go equal on points with GT and RCB on 10 points at the summit of the points table.
