MI vs CSK | Ruturaj-Dube fireworks and Pathirana corkers help CSK dominate rivals despite Rohit ton

Chennai Super Kings' decision to open with Ajinkya Rahane failed to reap dividends as he fell cheaply to Gerald Coetzee in the second over. Nevertheless, the usual opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra took over the reins to take the score up to 61 in eight overs with the skipper playing aggressor while the Kiwi fell victim to Shreyas Gopal. A quiet Jasprit Bumrah over to begin had Shivam Dube under the pump straightaway but the experienced campaigner stayed firm before launching a brutal assault. The duo's partnership yielded 90 runs off just 45 balls and had the visitors well-placed at 150/3 with five overs to go when Ruturaj departed after his half-century. However, Daryl Mitchell failed to capitalize on the foundation with a tame 14-ball 17 but MS Dhoni made up for it by smoking three sixes in his four-ball last over cameo of 20, taking CSK to a commanding 206/4.

Mumbai Indians raced off the block in response with both Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma finding the boundary at alarming frequency. The powerplay score read a handsome 63/0 and Ruturaj responded by handing Matheesha Pathirana the ball for the first time in the eighth over. The Sri Lankan quick rewarded his captain by getting rid of Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav with his first three balls, the latter courtesy of a brilliant take at the boundary by Mustafizur Rahman, thus placing CSK back in the driver's seat. However, Rohit kept gunning to sail past his half-century and found capable company in Tilak Varma whose 20-ball 31 formed part of a quickfire 60-run stand. On cue, Pathirana returned to send the youngster packing and skipper Hardik Pandya followed suit soon after having contributed just two runs off six balls, leaving the side a mammoth 73 to get off the last 27 deliveries. A couple of maximums from Tim David briefly sparked hopes of a memorable chase but a wicket each for Mustafizur Rahman and Pathirana doused all hopes. In the final over, Rohit brought up his second IPL ton but a CSK victory had already been sealed by then.Respect!

Party

4th win for #CSK. Defending 206 against at the might of the #MI batting line-up with some dew around makes this their finest performance this year.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 14, 2024

Talent

CSK FANS RULING WANKHEDE 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/sAB3QMKTwb

— ‘ (@Ashwin_tweetz) April 14, 2024

Latest one

Wankhede crowd chanting CSK CSK when Rohit is on crease and Sachin is in dressing room.



THIS IS PEAK OWNING

pic.twitter.com/pYfZq2GI7B

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) April 14, 2024