Dubai: A stellar batting display from Ruturaj Gaikwad(88 not-out) followed by a resilient bowling performance earned Chennai Super Kings an inspiring 20 run victory over heavyweights Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League on Sunday in the opening evening of phase two in Dubai.
Mumbai who were to chase down a target of 157 only managed to get 156/8 despite a valiant effort from Saurabh Tiwary(50 not out). Earlier, Chennai too felt the heat from the just losing starman Faf du Plessis in the opening followed by another four inside the powerplay.
CSK were reeling at 24/4 when Gaikwad joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja(26) to the rescue adding a valuable 81 runs for the fifth wicket although it was the former who lead the foundation with his superb unbeaten knock which propelled CSK to 156/6 service from Dwayne Bravo coming handy down the order with a quickfire 8 ball 23.
Mumbai’s bowlers though did their job efficiently throughout the innings with Adam Milne(2/21) topping the charts. However, in reply, they too fumbled all the way to the finish. The absence of Rohit Sharma clearly dented the spirits as the stacked top order failed to deliver a good start to side.
Deepak Chahar(2/19) laid down the foundation packing both the openers’ homes before the veteran Bravo showed his experience with his 3/25 which was enough to keep Mumbai much behind the asking rate. Although Saurabh Tiwary held the anchor of the innings to the finish the pace on his innings didnt help much to the needs of his sides.
Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 156/6(Ruturaj Gaikwad 88*, Ravindra Jadeja 26; Adam Milne 2/21, Jasprit Bumrah 2/33) beat Mumbai Indians 136/8(Saurabh Tiwary 50*, Quinton de Kock 17; Dwayne Bravo 3/25, Deepak Chahar 2/19) by 20 runs.
