(Cricket News) MS Dhoni and Wankhede sixes, just the love affair that everybody craves to watch. Just when it looked that CSK would score below par in a good batting track at the Wankhede, in walked the Thala and lit up the people at the ground and those crores watching the game on the television. MS Dhoni powered CSK to a formidable total of 206 with his last over heroics.
Walking into bat with just 4 balls remaining in the innings, Dhoni smashed Hardik Pandya, the MI skipper for 3 sixes in row and finished with a cameo of 20 runs from just 4 balls. Dhoni’s innings eventually proved out to be the difference, with CSK winning the game by 20 runs in the end.
Before Dhoni, the CSK batters were very good throughout the game, with the likes of skipper Gaikwad and the in the in form beast Shivam Dube getting half centuries. Being put into bat CSK always needed a 200+ total at a ground like Wankhede and with the dew expected in the later stages of the match.
Ajinkya Rahane carrying a niggle, came into open the innings alongside Rachin. Rahane got dismissed cheaply in the very second over. Skipper Gaikwad then joined Rachin and showed a lot of intent, and kept the runs flowing. Rachin however failed to make it big after getting off to a decent start.
Shreyas Gopal, the Mumbai spinner got better of Rachin, who ended with a 16-ball 21. The in form Shivam Dube then came along with his skipper and took the charge smashing bowlers all around. Dube (66 off 38), and Gaikwad (69 off 40) were the standout innings that marched CSK’s innings forward. A slow knock from Daryl Mitchell in the later stages meant that CSK needed a flurry of boundaries at the end and that’s when the greatest finisher MS Dhoni yet again showed his class.
Chasing a par total, Mumbai looked well in control until the Pathirana over, who got better of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the same over. Rohit’s century, that came after 12 years did not prove to be enough for the Mumbai Indians, as the CSK bowlers led by Pathirana executed their plans to perfection. Pathirana ended with a spell of 4/28 to take CSK home by 20 runs and also received the Man of the Match.
The people of Mumbai got exactly what they would have wished for. Although the home team did not manage to register the hattrick of wins, but MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma ensured that the fans returned home happy. Dhoni ”the young 42-year wicketkeeper,” turned back the clock and showed that age is just a number.
With the win CSK are now placed 3rd in the points table, with 4 wins out of their 6 games, while the Mumbai Indians will now be desperate for victories to get a spot in the top 4.
