It was yet another ‘CSK’ kind of day in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League as the team which worked so hard to create its legacy of ‘never give up’ attitude, has suddenly been transformed into a bunch of ‘no intent’ players who keep on loosing the games without putting up a fight, lost yet another one.
Chennai Super Kings was served a humongous 10-wicket loss, for the first time in their history as Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock powered Mumbai through with a 116 run opening partnership to chase down 115, set up by a dismal batting unit of the Super Kings.
With this win in Sharjah, MI have now moved on to the top of the table, while Chennai still languishes at the bottom.
On this note, let us have a look at the Hits and Flops from the game.
In a game where all chips were down for Chennai, Sam Curran waged a lone man war against Mumbai, and got CSK out of a massive embarrassment batting through the innings with the tailenders.
No doubt, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishan Kishan too performed brilliantly, but they did so in the conditions that were purely suited for them and if I am being too harsh, then at least in conditions that were more favourable to them, as compared to Curran. The Englishman made 52 off 47 balls and also created the highest ever 9th wicket partnership in the IPL after adding 43 runs with Imran Tahir.
Curran’s innings was an example of how to bat with the tail. He hit four fours and two sixes in his innings.
Given the ball in swinging conditions, Boult did what he is known for – swing the ball. Right from the first over he got the ball moving and also got Rurturaj Gaikwad, the youngster out for of a seething inswinger. In the entire game, the Kiwi bowler picked four wickets, picking one in each of his four overs, ending the innings by getting Curran bowed on the last ball and finishing up with the figures of 4/18.
For his brilliant performance, the Kiwi was also awarded the Man of the Match award.
The third-place could have also gone to Bumrah, but not after how the Jharkhand man batted without any fear and as if there was no tomorrow, making every inch of the opportunity to open the innings, given to him in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
The left-hander made 68 of 37 balls and was the key factor in finishing the match in the 13th over itself. His innings was well distributed with boundary and sixes as he hit five maximums to complement the six fours. Kishan has so far been one amazing find of the tournament for the MI team going into the future.
The man with the most runs for the CSK outfit this season has been lagging behind since the last three games and today was no different. Coming to open the innings, the South African not only ate up deliveries at the start but also failed to make those balls count as he lost his wicket pretty soon as well.
Du Plessis played seven balls and scored just one run. In the last six innings that he has played for the CSK, his only significant contribution has been against Delhi Capitals where he made 58 off 47 balls, rest all were not up to the standard associated with du Plessis.
In the last game, CSK skipper MS Dhoni had said that the youngsters ‘lack’ spark in them. Today, two youngsters in the form of Rutruraj Gaikwad and Narayan Jagdeeshan were added to the team, bit got out on a duck. It was at this moment that senior pros like Ambati Rayudu needed to stay at the crease and show the rest of the batsmen to how you bat in difficult situations.
However, instead of doing that, the 35-year-old Andhra born got out to Jasprit Bumrah of just two balls, scoring only three runs.
There could have been many in the Flops list from the CSK. Now, they really need to show intent and come to all guns blazing to show what they are made up of. They would love to win the rest of their three games to salvage some pride for themselves and their fans as well.;
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