Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians: Match Report

Mumbai vs Chennai is known as the ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL, yet recently both teams have not played to the standards they are used to. CSK came into the game in 6th and MI in 8th. It was also the first time in 9 years that Pollard and Bravo did not feature for the blue and yellow armies. Unfortunately, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer all missed out on this clash to injury.

Powerplay Woes Continue for Chennai

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan have been struggling recently in the IPL. Rohit’s last IPL 50 came 24 innings ago and 879 days ago. Kishan’s recent form for India in T20I has also been poor, so both these openers needed a flying start and that is what they got. Despite the assistance from the pitch, Rohit still seemed to struggle to time the ball during his 21 off 13. Kishan started well as he hit debutant Sisanda Magala for 3 excellent boundaries in his first over.

Deepak Chahar, Chennai’s powerplay specialist, picked up an injury mid-way through his first over, meaning he had to leave the game early. He has not been at his best this year but Chennai will need him in the powerplay due to his ability to swing the new ball. One player looking like an excellent find is Tushar Deshpande who bowled arguably the best ball of the tournament to remove Rohit Sharma, CSK’s only powerplay wicket.

Spin Does the Job Again

Just like against Lucknow, Chennai came out of the powerplay behind in the contest. However, the spinners tore apart the batting lineup, with Jadeja and Santner took 5 wickets in just 38 deliveries. Santner picked up the huge wicket of Suryakumar Yadav who has been struggling for runs recently. He tickled one down the leg side that was given not out but a Dhoni review showed that he had got some glove on it.

Jadeja had not been having an excellent tournament as he had only bowled 5 overs and scored 4 runs with the bat. However, he was back to his best today with figures of 3–20 off his allotted overs, including a caught and bowled that was nailed back at his head but he was able to stick a hand up and take it.

CSK Struggling at the Death

Without Bravo, there were many questions asked about Chennai’s death bowling. These questions were justified in the first game against the Titans where they conceded 37 off the last 20 balls, losing them the match. These issues are yet to be solved as they went for 44 in the last 24. The introduction of death bowling specialist Dwaine Pretorious didn’t help too much as he gave away 16 to the tail in the last over.

One positive for the Kings is that they are consistently taking wickets once the spinners are done. Deshpande got the big wicket of Tim David but it was Magala’s maiden IPL wicket that will be more memorable due to his fellow South African’s fielding, as Pretorious combined with Gaikwad for a fantastic relay catch on the boundary.

Gaikwad Reclaims the Orange Cap

Just hours before Gaikwad walked out to bat, he had slipped down to 3rd in the Orange Cap rankings with Jos Buttler and David Warner replacing him. However, he continued his blistering form with a more controlled inning as he made sure that Chennai got across the line with a sensible 40* off 36.

His opening partner picked up his second single-figure score of the tournament as he did not trouble the scorers with a 3-ball duck. Just like against the Titans, he looked uncomfortable at the crease and didn’t move his feet, resulting in him chopping onto his stumps.

Rahane’s Class is Permanent

With Stokes and Ali out, changes were certain for the CSK top order. Rahane probably did not think he was going to play this year but he didn’t miss the chance to grasp his opportunity. He blasted a 19-ball 50 which is the joint second-fastest CSK 50 (Joint with Moeen Ali). He smashed Arshad Khan for 23 in one over including a tracer bullet straight drive.

Shivam Dube was placed in a perfect situation with the bat, a Mumbai side lacking an out-and-out fast bowler that could bounce him. He was sent in with free rein with spinners operating from both ends. However, despite a few big hits, his intent was not there as he looked to stick around which could end up hurting CSK’s Net Run Rate. Rayudu came out as the Impact Player, batting at number 5, finishing the game off with 20* off 16

What’s Next for CSK?

Chennai come up against the table toppers, Rajasthan Royals, at Chepauk. Pending Chahar and Stokes’ fitness, they should have a full squad due to the arrival of the Sri Lankan duo, Pathirana and Theekshana. CSK will now have 8 overseas players who could all make the playing XI. If Chahar and Stokes are not fit for the clash against the Royals, this would be my batting 11.

My XI

1. Gaikwad
2. Conway
3. Ali
4. Rahane
5. Rayudu
6. Dube
7. Dhoni
8. Jadeja
9. Santner
10. Hangargekar
11. Theekshana
12. Deshpande (comes in for Rayudu as Impact Player)

Pretorious is needed for CSK at the death but a bigger problem is that they will only have one opening bowler with just Deshpande. Theekshana has shown his ability to swing the new ball as a spinner which will make him even more attractive to MS Dhoni at Chepauk. Hangargekar has arguably been their most impressive death bowler, so he can hopefully pick up some of Pretorious’ load during his absence.

Player Ratings

CSK

1. Conway 2/10-needs to improve his consistency.
2. Gaikwad 7/10-sensible innings and was excellent in the field.
3. Rahane 8/10-excellent debut and should secure his spot for the next game.
4. Dube 5/10-innings were set up perfectly for him to take advantage of but were very hesitant.
5. Rayudu 6/10-did his job and finished the game off.
6. Jadeja 8/10-adapted well to the pitch to pick up 3 wickets.
7. Dhoni 6/10-great catch and review to remove Yadav.
8. Pretorious 5/10-did his job apart from the last over he bowled.
9. Santner 7/10-another solid and economical spell.
10. Magala 4/10-expensive but picked up Chahar’s overs well.
11. Deshpande 6/10-another expensive display but took two big wickets.

MI

1. Sharma 5/10-better intent at the top. Poor captaincy to take Behrendorff early.
2. Kishan 6/10-showed signs of his old self.
3. Green 6/10-bowled well but another disappointment with the bat
4. Yadav 2/10-loss of form is worrying with the World Cup around the corner.
5. Varma 5/10-a good start but Jadeja was just too good for him.
6. Khan 1/10-bowled way too straight and only managed to score 2 runs.
7. David 6/10-fought hard but struggled at the beginning of his inning.
8. Stubbs 3/10–5 runs at a 50 strike rate. His South African teammate, Dewald Brevis, should be given a go.
9. Shokeen 5/10-showed heart with the bat but didn't bowl sensibly.
10. Chawla 5/10-fooled Rahane but too late. A touch expensive.
11. Behrendorff 6/10-set Conway up well. Should’ve bowled more in the powerplay.
12. Kartikeya 7/10-used the pitch to his advantage. Needs to improve his variations.