Chennai Super Kings would like to erase this entire season of IPL. They faced yet another defeat against Mumbai Indians in the 41st match of Indian Premier League 2020. Even including Imran Tahir did not work for them. However, excluding Shane Watson proved to be expensive.
Boult guides, Bumrah-Chahar follow
Mumbai Indians were without their regular captain Rohit Sharma. In his absence Kieron Pollard took the charge, won the toss, and decided to bowl first. Mumbai Indians bowlers never spared a single chance to Chennai Super Kings batters. Trent Boult, once again gave the first blow. He dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad in the 5th ball of the innings and then went on to pick three more wickets. Boult eventually recorded another four-wicket scalp conceding 18 runs in his four overs including a maiden. 4/18 is Boult’s best bowling performance for Mumbai Indians. Moreover, this was the 4th time that
Boult took a wicket in the first over
Boult’s bowling was well supported by his colleagues, Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar. Bumrah has started giving a tough fight to Kagiso Rabada for the Purple Cap race. Bumrah sent Ambati Rayudu and Narayan Jagadeesan in the second over of CSK innings in two back-to-back deliveries. Although he missed hattrick, he has surely sent a strong message to his critics again. Chahar continued his good show too to add another couple of scalps to his tally. Mumbai Indians players are dominating the table of highest wicket-takers this season thus far. Going forward, no wonder they will play more important role if Mumbai Indians want to defend the title.
Chennai Super Kings’s lack of firepower
Mahendra Singh Dhoni spoke about the lack of spark in his team. “You don’t want to chop and change. Insecurity is something you don’t want to prevail in the dressing room. Also the youngsters, we didn’t see the spark to push the guys.” While the youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad (0), Narayan Jagadeesan (0) almost proved him right, it was 22-years-old Sam Curran who saved CSK innings. Curran’s unbeaten 52 off 47 was everything CSK could ask for after losing five wickets for 21 runs. It was surprising to see MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in the middle within the powerplay. But it was more shocking to see none of the CSK top-order batters score 20+ runs. Curran hit four fours and two sixes to contribute 45.6% of CSK’s total score of 114. Dropping Shane Watson did hurt a bit for sure.
Bowling woes
Speaking about Chennai Super Kings bowling, it was a tough task for the bowlers to defend such a low score. For Imran Tahir, it was a sad welcome to IPL 2020. The highest wicket-taker of IPL 2019 failed to take any wicket, however, ended as the most economical bowler of his side. Tahir should have been included to the playing XI much earlier by CSK management. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians openers were too good to be stopped. They missed the service of Rohit Sharma but there was no sign of it. In fact, Ishan Kishan utilized the opportunity well and scored 37-ball 68* to record another win for Mumbai Indians. Quinton de Kock was the anchor this time with 37-ball 46* to his name.