Mumbai Indians handed over Chennai Super Kings their first IPL 2019 defeat. Chennai’s batting order collapsed while chasing the target. Openers Rayudu and Watson were picked up cheaply, while Chennai’s most dependable batsman Suresh Raina too headed back to the stands after scoring 16 runs.
Lasith Malinga ended Watson at 5, Jason Behrendorff sent home Rayudu for a duck. Behrendorff struck once again picking up Raina leaving Chennai at 33/3 in 4.5 overs. Jadhav got 58 off 54, while Mahendra Singh Dhoni anchored Chennai’s inning with a 54 run partnership. However, the skipper couldn’t stay for much time in the middle as he fell to Hardik Pandya.
Jadhav tried to keep up with the run rate, but Malinga ended his efforts. Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo too were picked up in quick succession, putting Chennai at 115/7 in the 18th over.
With 56 needed of the last two overs, Chennai’s lower middle order couldn’t help their side cross the line as Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur could only contribute with 7 and 12 runs respectively.
Earlier, Hardik and Kieron Pollard quick fire play propelled Mumbai Indians to 170/5.
Suryakumar Yadav accumulated 59 runs and Krunal Pandya reached 42, the duo made valuable contributions to the team’s score.
Put to bat, the hosts were off to a slow start, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar then tried to repair the damage but Jadeja cut short their stay together, dismissing Sharma on 13 as Mumbai were 45/2 in the eighth over.
Imran Tahir intensified Mumbai’s troubles by sending Yuvraj Singh back to hut at 4.
Suryakumar and Krunal Pandya showed some resistance and stitched a 62 run partnership. Once they were gone, Pollard and Hardik took the team from 125/5 in 17.6 overs to finish at 170/5 in their allotted 20 overs.