MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) climbed to the number 2 spot on the points table with a comprehensive 6-wicket win over five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on May 6. MI’s batting faltered and failed to put up a fighting total as CSK chased down the target with 14 balls to spare.
In the run chase of 140, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway got CSK off to a good start. In the third over, Arshad Khan took a beating as Gaikwad hit him for two fours and as many sixes. Jofra Archer was not impressive with the new ball either. Piyush Chawla broke the partnership in the fifth over. Gaikwad got out after scoring 30 runs from 16 balls including four fours and two sixes. After powerplay overs, CSK were 55/1.
Ajinkya Rahane walked out with the intention to attack. Rahane even hit Chawla for a six. But the leg-spinner had the last laugh as he trapped Rahane in front of the stumps. He scored 21 runs from 17 balls including one four and one six. At halfway stage, CSK were 84/2. Ambati Rayudu (12) targetted part-time spinner Tristan Stubbs for a six but got out next ball in the 13th over.
Meanwhile, Conway continued to anchor the innings. In the 14th over, Dube hit Radhav Goyal for two sixes as he looked to finish the run chase early. After two quiet overs, Conway attempted a cheeky shot but got out lbw after Rohit opted for DRS. The opener scored 44 runs from 42 balls including four fours. Dhoni promoted himself up the order to entertain the Chepauk crowd. In the 18th over, Dube hit Arshad for a six. Dhoni finished the run chase with a single as CSK won by six wickets with 14 balls to spare.
Earlier, Dhoni won the toss and opted to field first. Tushar Deshpande got rid of Cameron Green (6) in his first over. Deepak Chahar in his second over struck twice. The first to get out was Ishan Kishan (7) who went for the big shot but managed a top edge. Demoting himself down the order, Rohit walked out to bat. Dhoni had plans for Rohit as he stood near the stumps. Rohit went for a scoop but it ended up as an easy catch for Ravindra Jadeja. Rohit broke the record for most ducks in IPL history. After powerplay overs, MI were 34/3.
Nehal Wadhera and Suryakumar yadav tried to stabilise the innings. After 10 overs, MI were 64/3. Suryakumar's struggled against left-arm spinners continued. Jadeja got his wicket. He scored 26 runs from 22 balls including three fours. Wadhera continued to anchor the innings. In the 17th over, he got to his half-century from 46 balls. In the same over, he hit Jadeja for three fours.
Matheesha Pathirana was exceptional in the slog overs. He got the wicket of Wadhera in the 18th over. The southpaw scored 64 runs from 51 balls including eight fours and one six. In the penultimate over, Deshpande lured Tim David into a big shot. David ended up getting caught at long-off. In the final over, Pathirana conceded just five runs and got the wickets of Arshad Khan and Tristan Stubbs. MI managed to post a below par total of 139/8.
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