| 0.0 : Hello, folks! Are you ready for Qualifier 1? It's going to be the battle of heavyweights with two of the most accomplished teams in the history of this League locking horns at the Chepauk Stadium. The build-up once again has been enormous and we are hoping that at least today, this El Clasico lives up to the expectations. On both occasions in their previous meetings this season, Mumbai emerged as the better side by registering thumping wins and would have the edge. For Chennai, they have dealt w |
| Pitch report - Sanjay Manjrekar observes a bit of sheen on the surface. Feels it could be a batting surface but does not reckon it will be a 200-score track. He expects some inconsistent bounce as well. (Also, there could be some sweat due the pitch being covered a few hours before the toss). |
| Toss - Rohit Sharma flips the coin, MS Dhoni calls it correctly and CHENNAI WILL BAT! |
| Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni says that they will bat first. Adds that they just look at the opposition and plan accordingly. Mentions that most of the teams are very dangerous and considers Mumbai as a very balanced side. Informs that Kedar Jadhav is out injured and is replaced by Murali Vijay. |
| Mumbai skipper, Rohit Sharma also wanted to bat first looking how the pitch behaved last time around. Tells that they have a good record here but that doesn't really matter as it depends on how they perform on a particular day. Wants to focus on the game and do well as a group. Informs that Jayant Yadav comes in place of Mitchell McClenaghan. |
| Mumbai (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock(WK), Rohit Sharma(C), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Jayant Yadav (in for Mitchell McClenaghan), Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga. |
| Chennai (Playing XI) - Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay (in place of Kedar Jadhav), MS Dhoni(WK/C), Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir. |
| Suresh Raina is having a chat with Ian Bishop. 'Chinna Thala' says that both teams look confident but admits that Mumbai have looked stronger. Stresses that one needs to be confident and express oneself, especially in the playoffs. Credits the support staff for instilling that confidence. On Mumbai being the only team to beat them at Chepauk, Suresh just deflects the question and says that Chennai would be looking to go all guns blazing in this game. |
| Time to play the game. Chepauk is buzzing. Mumbai get into a huddle near the boundary line with Rohit Sharma sharing some last minute thoughts. Out come Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis to open for Chennai. The latter will face the first ball of Qualifier 1 from Lasith Malinga. All in readiness, here we go... |
| 0.1 : L Malinga to du Plessis, Starts with a out-swinging delivery. He lands it on a good length outside off, du Plessis watches the line closely and then shoulders arms. Good carry to the keeper. |
| 0.2 : L Malinga to du Plessis, Malinga goes closer to the off stump and once again takes it away off the seam. Du Plessis sticks back and pushes it out with an angled bat to point. |
| 0.3 : L Malinga to du Plessis, Once again du Plessis camps back inside the crease for an out-swinger and defends it towards point. |
| 0.4 : L Malinga to du Plessis, Action replay of the previous delivery. Du Plessis is very watchful at the moment as Malinga is bowling an impeccable line. It's on and around off, moving away, Faf plays it out to point. |
| 0.5 : L Malinga to du Plessis, Five out-swingers in a row. The line is around off and du Plessis can't do much as he just pushes it out on the off side. Looks for a run initially but it's not on. Will it be a maiden? |
| 0.6 : L Malinga to du Plessis, No, a single off the last ball. Du Plessis uses gentle hands to ease a length ball in the gap at cover-point. Chennai are underway. Outstanding first over by Lasith Malinga, setting the tone for Mumbai. |
| Who will bowl from the other end? A spinner or a pacer? It's Krunal Pandya to roll his arm... |
| 1.1 : K Pandya to du Plessis, Du Plessis has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 1.2 : K Pandya to du Plessis, FOUR! Up and just over short third man. Flighted and full, way wide outside off, du Plessis gets down on one knee before reaching out for this one. He throws his willow at it and it flies off the outside edge and just clears Bumrah inside the ring. It then races away to the fence. The replay shows that Bumrah got his fingertips on the ball. |
| 1.3 : K Pandya to du Plessis, Walks down the track and Krunal immediately shortens his length. The line is on off and Faf pushes it out towards cover-point. |
| 1.4 : K Pandya to du Plessis, Short in length and on middle, pulled across the line through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 1.5 : K Pandya to S Watson, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 1.6 : K Pandya to S Watson, Beauty of a delivery. Flatter and full around off, spinning away a bit, Watson rocks back to play the square cut but misses. That was too close to his body to attempt that shot. |
| Rahul Chahar to bowl the third over. Rohit ringing in quick changes. A slip in place... |
| 2.1 : R Chahar to du Plessis, OUT! Wicket number 11 for Rahul Chahar this season. His brilliance continues. What a start for Mumbai! They have got the prized scalp of Faf du Plessis. Chahar delivers it a touch flat and full wide outside off, du Plessis tries to slap it through the line but it spins away with some extra bounce and flies straight into the hands of backward point. Anmolpreet Singh (sub) crouches and takes the catch easily. Du Plessis is disappointed as he walks back. |
| Suresh Raina walks in at number 3, replacing Faf du Plessis. |
| 2.2 : R Chahar to S Raina, Down the leg side, Raina looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 2.3 : R Chahar to S Raina, Plenty of turn on this deck already. Tossed up around middle, spins in a long way, Suresh looks to defend but is beaten all ends up as the ball turns in a mile. Hits his thigh pad and goes over the leg stump and is partially stopped by Quinton de Kock behind. |
| 2.4 : R Chahar to S Raina, Miscued! Flighted leg spinner landing full around middle and turning back in, Raina goes for a big heave across the line but it takes the inner half of his blade and runs to the right of short fine leg. The fielder does well to stop the ball but cannot prevent the single. |
| 2.5 : R Chahar to S Watson, Whoa! That turned square. Rahul Chahar gives this one flight and lands it around off, Watson stays back and then makes the leave. After that the ball spins away viciously to surprise one and all. |
| 2.6 : R Chahar to S Watson, Compact! Tossed up ball on off, Watson has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Top over from the leggie, a wicket and a run from it. |
| Jayant Yadav is the fourth bowler used by Mumbai to bowl the fourth over! |
| 3.1 : J Yadav to S Raina, A NO BALL TO START. Full and around middle, 90 kph, Raina defends it towards cover. FREE HIT signalled. |
| Free Hit loading... hang on a second. Raina has clobbered a boundary down the ground but it has been signalled a DEAD BALL. We are awaiting the reason... |
| J Yadav to S Raina, FOUR! All timing! Yadav strays on the pads of the batsman and Raina easily lofts it by rotating his wrists. It flies over square leg and finds the fence. |
| 3.2 : J Yadav to S Raina, Floated and full around off, Raina lunges and defends it watchfully. |
| 3.3 : J Yadav to S Raina, OUT! Caught and bowled! Raina, the man in-form, departs as well. Chennai have both their in-form batsmen back in the dugout. Massive setback. Mumbai are roaring at the moment. A terrific move by Rohit Sharma to bowl an offie with the left-hander on strike. He serves an off spinning delivery, lands it full and on middle and gets it to spin away a shade. Raina kneels to slog sweep it across the line but gets a big top edge. Yadav calls for it, runs back a bit and then take |
| 3.4 : J Yadav to S Watson, Uses his feet, takes a couple of steps and then flicks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 3.5 : J Yadav to S Watson, Extravagant turn again. Landed around off, spinning down a long way, Watto looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and lobs wide of Rohit Sharma at leg slip. |
| 3.6 : J Yadav to S Watson, That ends another frugal over. Quicker delivery, flatter and fuller on off, Watson quietly plays it with soft hands towards cover-point for a brisk run. |
| Will we have the fifth bowler to bowl the 5th over? Oh yes, it's Jasprit Bumrah steaming in... |
| 4.1 : J Bumrah to S Watson, Bumrah starts by angling in a length ball on middle, Watson plays it off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 4.2 : J Bumrah to S Watson, FOUR! Eased away! This one is drifting down the leg side and Watson works it with good timing behind square leg. The short fine leg fielder gives the chase but the ball wins the race. Last time these two sides met, Watson flicked a similar shot straight into the hands of short fine leg. But that didn't stop the Australian from going after this one. |
| 4.3 : J Bumrah to S Watson, The line is straight again, Shane helps it in the gap on the leg side for one. |
| 4.4 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, Slants in a full ball on off, Vijay plays it close to his front pad and pushes it with fine timing to mid off. |
| 4.5 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, A slower off cutter by Bumrah this time, it's around off, Vijay dabs it down wide of backward point for a quick run. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses. |
| 4.6 : J Bumrah to S Watson, FOUR! Bang! Short in length and on middle, Watson stays back to get on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. There was a sweeper on the leg side but he has no chance of cutting it off. 10 from the over, the best one so far for Chennai. |
| Krunal Pandya to bowl the last over of the Powerplay. |
| 5.1 : K Pandya to M Vijay, FOUR! Off the edge and understandably, Krunal is not happy. Full and outside off, Vijay looks to flick but the ball turns away, takes the leading edge and beats Jasprit Bumrah from short third man. |
| 5.2 : K Pandya to M Vijay, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 5.3 : K Pandya to M Vijay, FOUR! Boundaries are coming now for Chennai. A tossed up ball landing full on middle, Vijay goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over backward square leg. It nearly carries all the way. |
| 5.4 : K Pandya to M Vijay, Quicker and flatter on off, tapped down to covers for one. |
| 5.5 : K Pandya to S Watson, Quick again, the trajectory is flat and the line is around off and it skids back in, Watson punches it from the crease to covers. |
| 5.6 : K Pandya to S Watson, OUT! Watson departs and this is a massive, massive moment in the match. This is as much a wicket for the fielder as it is for the bowler. Short and around off, Watto rocks back and looks to pull, aiming to clear mid on. But he is not quite able to get enough off the bat. Jayant Yadav senses there is a chance at mid on, runs back, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a spectacular catch. Throws the ball up in the air in celebration. Mumbai are pumped up and they are all |
| Powerplay done and the top three batsmen are also done for Chennai. This is the worst possible start they would have imagined. Ambati Rayudu is the new batsman who didn't open his account in both the games against Mumbai this season. How will he fare today? Rahul Chahar is back on... |
| 6.1 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, Off the mark! Full and flighted on off, Rayudu drives it off his front foot to long off for a single. |
| 6.2 : R Chahar to M Vijay, Vijay drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 6.3 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, Tossed up ball on off, turning away, Rayudu is forward in defense but it spins away to beat the outside edge. |
| 6.4 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, Lets the ball to spin away from him and then taps it down wide of first slip for a single. |
| 6.5 : R Chahar to M Vijay, Beaten in air. Nicely looped up ball just outside off, Vijay with unsure footwork tries to play at it initially and then makes a leave at the last moment. |
| 6.6 : R Chahar to M Vijay, FOUR! Poor fielding in the deep by Kieron Pollard and he is disgusted with himself. Too full in length and outside off, Vijay goes hard at it and drills it over covers. Pollard runs across to his left to stop the ball but fails to do so cleanly as it ends up touching the rope. |
| Hardik Pandya time. |
| 7.1 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, Outside off, on a length, Rayudu arches back and dabs it late towards third man for a single. |
| 7.2 : H Pandya to M Vijay, On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| STAT ALERT - Whenever a side loses three wickets or more in the Powerplay, only thrice has it gone on to win. 10 times it has ended up on the losing side. Massive mountain to climb... |
| 7.3 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed towards point. |
| 7.4 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, Nice batting. Rayudu walks across, then gets back and angles this length ball angling in from outside off, towards third man for a run. |
| 7.5 : H Pandya to M Vijay, Outside off, very full, placed straight to point. |
| 7.6 : H Pandya to M Vijay, Outside off again, flayed behind point for a couple. |
| Krunal Pandya is back on. |
| 8.1 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Quicker and flatter on off, Rayudu remains on the back foot and pushes it out to covers. |
| 8.2 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Turn and bounce around off, Ambati stays on the back foot and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 8.3 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Loopy ball on middle, turning away a bit to square up the batsman. Rayudu keeps it out by opening his bat at the last moment. It rolls in the gap at covers and they pinch a single. |
| 8.4 : K Pandya to M Vijay, Flatter one, on off, defended from the back foot. |
| 8.5 : K Pandya to M Vijay, Played to the point region by the batsman. No run. |
| 8.6 : K Pandya to M Vijay, Straighter in line, probably an arm ball, Vijay eases it through the gap at mid-wicket for a run. Two from the over, another tidy one. |
| Strategic break. Chennai are crawling at the moment and are under immense pressure. They have lost the cream of their batting and are now reliant on their middle order to bail them out. The pitch is turning square and it's only going to get worse for batting. The yellow team would have gauged that by know and should not be aiming too high. One reckons a total around 140 will be quite challenging. Jayant Yadav returns into the attack after the mini-break. |
| 9.1 : J Yadav to M Vijay, Flatter and shorter delivery outside off, Vijay goes on the back foot and slaps it through point for a run. |
| 9.2 : J Yadav to A Rayudu, Flighted off spinner, landing outside off and turning back in, Rayudu pushes it with soft hands to covers and scampers across to the other end. |
| 9.3 : J Yadav to M Vijay, Knocks a full ball down to long on and rotates the strike. |
| 9.4 : J Yadav to A Rayudu, Uses his feet to come down the track and pushes a full ball through mid on for one. 50 comes up for Chennai after a lot of sweating. |
| 9.5 : J Yadav to M Vijay, Quicker delivery, short and wide outside off at 96.2 kph, Vijay mistimes his cut shot to covers. |
| 9.6 : J Yadav to M Vijay, Beaten all ends up! Sharp spin on this occasion from outside off. Vijay remains inside the crease to play at it but is completely foxed by the amount of spin. De Kock collects the ball near the off stump, believe me, it was very close. 50/3 at the halfway stage. |
| Lasith Malinga returns. 1-0-2-0 so far. |
| 10.1 : L Malinga to A Rayudu, WIDE. Starts off with a slower delivery but it is down the leg side. Rayudu misses his flick. |
| L Malinga to A Rayudu, On middle and leg, flicked uppishly through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.2 : L Malinga to M Vijay, Slower and fuller on middle, Vijay flicks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and runs the first run hard. He, then, turns for the second but it's not on. |
| 10.3 : L Malinga to A Rayudu, No ball called for overstepping! A bouncer around leg, Rayudu allows it to go over his head. Time for Free Hit... |
| FREE HIT COMING... |
| L Malinga to A Rayudu, FOUR! Once again the Free Hit has gone for a boundary. Raina put it away earlier wristily and Rayudu has done exactly the same. Malinga strays on the pads and Ambati deflects it neatly down to fine leg. |
| 10.4 : L Malinga to A Rayudu, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 10.5 : L Malinga to M Vijay, Angling down the leg side, Vijay turns it towards square leg and takes a run. |
| 10.6 : L Malinga to A Rayudu, Yet another single on the leg side to close the over. 11 coming from it. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is back on. |
| 11.1 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, Direct hit would have been close! Good length delivery on off, Rayudu plays it towards extra cover and scampers across to the other end. Rohit Sharma has a shy at the striker's end but misses. The replays show that Vijay would have been a goner in case of a direct hit. |
| 11.2 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, A length ball angling into the batsman, Vijay swings his bat across the line and chips it in the air over wide mid on. It falls safely in the deep and they take a brace. |
| 11.3 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 11.4 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, Back of a length ball on middle, Vijay goes on his toes and helps it straight to mid-wicket. Rayudu is outside his crease and the fielder has an immediate shy at the bowler's end. Misses. |
| 11.5 : J Bumrah to M Vijay, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total. |
| 11.6 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, Short in length and outside off, Ambati cuts it off his back foot but finds point. Very slow progress from Chennai! |
| Rahul Chahar returns. |
| 12.1 : R Chahar to M Vijay, OUT! Wow, a delightful delivery from Rahul Chahar! Murali Vijay is stumped out and the brief 33-run resistance is broken. The leggie gives his delivery plenty of flight and lands it around leg. Seeing the line, Murali walks forward to play the flick shot but it turns viciously after that to beat the outside edge of his bat. Quinton de Kock does the rest and Rahul continues to impress. Despite of a wicket falling, there is a huge cheer from the crowd, reason? Well, of c |
| MS 'Thala' Dhoni is here. |
| 12.2 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, A touch short and on off, turning away, Dhoni goes back and taps it down to point for one. |
| 12.3 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, Hangs on the back foot to a short ball and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 12.4 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Beaten! Chahar lands it full and outside off, a top spinner which skids on after landing, Dhoni stretches forward to play at it but misses. |
| 12.5 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it with the spin to covers. |
| 12.6 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Turning away from the batsman, Dhoni goes back and punches it through covers for a single. Another excellent over by the leggie. |
| Strategic break. Mumbai continue to be in a dominant position. They have also successfully dislodged the partnership between Rayudu and Vijay and are applying good pressure on Chennai. With 7 overs to go and MS Dhoni in the middle, things can change immediately and the blue team will be aware of that. Jayant Yadav to bowl after the break. Rohit is saving Bumrah for the death otherwise the pacer's record against MS would have tempted him surely. |
| 13.1 : J Yadav to MS Dhoni, Tossed up ball outside off, Dhoni tries sweeping but misses and is hit on the pads. Outside the line though. |
| 13.2 : J Yadav to MS Dhoni, SIX! This is the way to tackle spin on a turning pitch. Use your feet. MS Dhoni wears his skates to shimmy down the track, doesn't allow the ball to spin too much and launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie. The long on fielder stands there and watches it sail over. |
| 13.3 : J Yadav to MS Dhoni, Flatter and on off, shorter in length, Dhoni punches it to sweeper cover for a couple. |
| 13.4 : J Yadav to MS Dhoni, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 13.5 : J Yadav to A Rayudu, Chance of a run out! A shortish ball on off, Rayudu pulls it across the line towards mid-wicket, without much timing and the placement is also not quite there. Hardik quickly rushes across to his right to stop the ball and Dhoni is outside the crease eyeing a run. He is sent back and reaches safely as the throw from Pandya is wide. Yadav also failed to collect it cleanly otherwise things could have been interesting. |
| 13.6 : J Yadav to A Rayudu, SIX! Is this the Dhoni effect on Rayudu? 15 from the over, easily the biggest of the innings so far. Tossed up, around middle and off, Rayudu jumps down the track and swings it massively over mid-wicket! |
| Hardik Pandya is back on. 1-0-5-0 so far. |
| 14.1 : H Pandya to MS Dhoni, Full and outside off, powered down to long off for a single. |
| 14.2 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, Walks across his stumps and awkwardly pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 14.3 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, FOUR! Up and over! With mid off up, Hardik bowls a length ball. Rayudu is more than happy to thump it over mid off. One bounce and into the ropes. |
| Mid off drops back now. Third man and fine leg come up inside the ring. |
| 14.4 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, A full toss, heaved through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 14.5 : H Pandya to MS Dhoni, Around off, worked through square leg for a run. |
| 14.6 : H Pandya to A Rayudu, Length ball wide outside off, Ambati flashes hard and gets it through cover. Dhoni wants the second but Rayudu loudly sends him back. |
| Krunal Pandya is back on. |
| 15.1 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Quicker and flatter delivery on the pads, worked in front of square leg for a run. |
| 15.2 : K Pandya to MS Dhoni, Beaten! Pandya gets this one to land and break away from the batsman. Dhoni pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 15.3 : K Pandya to MS Dhoni, Lunges to a full ball and eases it through mid off for a single. |
| Some issue there. It seems that Krunal was trying to rush through his delivery and Rayudu was not ready. The batsman pulls out and the bowler will have to reload. |
| 15.4 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Fires a full ball on middle, Rayudu goes down on one knee and top edges his attempted slog sweep behind square leg. It lands safely in the deep and they cross. |
| 15.5 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, A quicker delivery in the line of the stumps, Ambati tries playing the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but to no avail. Probably there was some under edge. |
| 15.6 : K Pandya to A Rayudu, Hangs on the back foot and punches it through mid-wicket for a single. Krunal has bowled out, 4-0-21-1! Fantastic performance. |
| Rahul Chahar is back on. 3-0-11-2 so far. |
| 16.1 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, A short ball, outside off, Rayudu pulls it down to long on for a single. |
| 16.2 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Tossed up a bit wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out and drills it through cover for a run. |
| 16.3 : R Chahar to A Rayudu, Outside off, punched through the covers for one. |
| 16.4 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Short and outside off, cut straight to short cover. |
| 16.5 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Another dot. Short and outside off, spinning away, cut straight to point. |
| 16.6 : R Chahar to MS Dhoni, Excellent over from the young man! Just 3 runs from it. 4-0-14-2 for Rahul Chahar. Tossed up outside off, MS reaches out and looks to drive but mistimes it back to the bowler. |
| Jasprit Bumrah returns. 2-0-14-0 so far. |
| 17.1 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, FOUR! Rayudu moves across his stumps and Bumrah bowls it short. The Chennai batter pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 100 UP FOR CHENNAI! |
| 17.2 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 17.3 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, Outside off, punched through long off for a run. |
| 17.4 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, A low full toss, outside off, Ambati looks to play the reverse sweep but the ball hits the sticker on the bat and rolls wide of Quinton de Kock towards Rahul Chahar to short third man. A run taken. |
| 17.5 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Good sportsmanship from Rohit, immediately signalling that the ball did not carry. A short ball, outside off, Dhoni punches it uppishly towards cover. Rohit Sharma there, dives ahead but the ball lands just in front of him. |
| 17.6 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| Lasith Malinga to bowl the 19th. 2-0-12-0 so far. |
| 18.1 : L Malinga to MS Dhoni, A yorker from around the wicket, around leg stump, worked through mid on for a single. |
| 18.2 : L Malinga to A Rayudu, Terrific keeping. Saved three runs there, Quinton de Kock. Full and down the leg side, Rayudu gets across to paddle but misses. The ball hits his pads and runs behind but de Kock dives full stretch to his left and makes a half stop. Dhoni quickly calls his partner through for a run. Leg bye signalled. |
| 18.3 : L Malinga to MS Dhoni, SIX! Malinga misses, Dhoni doesn't! That is a towering one. What a way to bring up the 50-run stand. Just inches short of a yorker and that is enough for the skipper. This is around middle and off and Dhoni smashes this over long on. |
| 18.4 : L Malinga to MS Dhoni, SIX MORE! Malinga misses his yorker again, goes full again, gets smashed again! This is around off, Dhoni gets underneath it nicely and hammers it over long on. Much straighter than the previous one. |
| Fine leg comes up now. Will Malinga take the pace off this ball? Third man drops back as well. Point drops back too. |
| 18.5 : L Malinga to MS Dhoni, Excellent comeback from the veteran to another veteran. A reverse-swinging low full toss, around middle, Mahi pushes it back down the ground and Malinga gets down to his right to stop. |
| 18.6 : L Malinga to MS Dhoni, Misses out on a full toss. It is curling down, MSD has a massive heave-ho, but only gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls to the off side and the batsmen take a single. 15 from the over and Malinga finishes with figures of 3-0-26-0. |
| Last over then. Dhoni in the middle. Bumrah with the ball. Boom-boom with the ball or with the bat? |
| Dhoni has been caught! But has Bumrah overstepped? YES! IT IS A NO BALL! A life to a tiger who already has 18 lives... |
| 19.1 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, NO BALL! Bumrah does not have his foot behind the line. He bowls a low full toss, outside off, Dhoni looks to swing hard but gets a thick outside edge behind. The ball goes wide of backward point where Ishan Kishan gets across to his left and takes it nicely. Also, MS loses his control over the bat and it flies somewhere at square leg. Mumbai celebrate but hang on. Nigel Llong wants a second look. And replays prove that Bumrah has overstepped... |
| FREE HIT TIME... Where will this go? |
| J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, Not long enough. Bumrah bangs in a short ball around off, Dhoni tries to get inside it to play the pull shot but the bounce gets big on him. He still goes on with his pull shot and plays it behind square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 19.2 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, A low full toss on middle and leg, Dhoni forces it down to long on for a run. |
| 19.3 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, A length ball, around middle, Rayudu heaves it towards long on for a single. |
| 19.4 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, Another quality yorker, around middle, MS works it wide of long on and calls for two. Kieron Pollard has some ground to cover to his right and the couple is completed with ease. |
| 19.5 : J Bumrah to MS Dhoni, Very full outside off, squeezed through the covers for just a single. |
| Last ball... what can Rayudu do? Or can Bumrah finish this off well? |
| 19.6 : J Bumrah to A Rayudu, Superb. Simply superb from Bumrah. He overstepped on the first ball of the over but did not concede even a single boundary in the entire over. A full toss on middle and leg, Rayudu steps down, trying to heave but can only mistime it towards mid off for a run. CHENNAI FINISH ON 131/4! |
| We have a contest, folks. Halfway through the innings, this was threatening to become a dull one-sided encounter but Vijay, Rayudu and Dhoni have given their bowlers something to defend. Mumbai might still win this but they might not be able to do it in a canter. |
| After electing to bat on a tricky surface, the hosts never got going. They finished Powerplay at a score of 32/3 but then Vijay and Rayudu steadied them a bit. The 33-run stand ensured that there was no collapse and then Dhoni had a go at the end of the innings. Just 50 came in the first 10 while the next 10 yielded 81. |
| It was an evening for the spinners as no seamer got a wicket. The seamers were okay though. Krunal, Rahul and Jayant spun a web across the opposition and the Men In Yellow just could not find a way past the trio. 11-0-60-4 were their combined figures with Rahul Chahar being the most impressive. Here he is, talking to Ian Bishop... |
| Rahul Chahar says that it was a very important game for them and he just backed himself and concentrated on turning the ball. Adds that he just backed his plans that the support staff told him and bowled accordingly. Mentions that he was just trying to hit the right areas. |
| 132 needed for Mumbai to get a direct entry into Sunday's final. In a normal T20 game, this will be a walk in the park for Mumbai. Will it be so tonight? A rank turner, against Tahir, Bhajji and Jaddu. It surely will be spicy. The run chase is about to begin in a few moments... |
Google +
Facebook
Twitter
Whatsapp