Highlights, IPL 2018, CSK vs MI at Pune, Full Cricket Score: Mumbai Indians register 2nd victory, beat Chennai by eight wickets

We witnessed another cracker of a game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Join us for the double header tomorrow. Good bye and take care.

Rohit Sharma, Man of the Match and Mumbai Indians captain: Very much alive. We wanted this win desperately. Spoke to the boys at the start of the win, we didn’t want to make any desperate decisions. Wanted to stay calm. We’ve played good cricket. The finishing touch wasn’t happening. Today was a perfect game. Batted well. Bowled well. Fielded well. Rightly so, If I look back, apart from the SRH game where we batted poorly, all the other matches were close. We put up 190-plus scores. This game will give lot of confidence. That was very critical going into this game. This is a batting dominant tournament. Few of the teams especially Sunrisers have defended well. We still have positive environment going forward. (How hard was it to drop Pollard?) It was. He has done so many good things for us. He’ll still be our match winner. But he was ready to accept it. I don’t want to dismiss him. He is still our match winner. There will be surprises going forward and whatever I do will be for the benefit for the team. (On promotion to No 3) It was a decision made according to the match situation.

Rohit Sharma, Man of the Match and Mumbai Indians captain: Very much alive. We wanted this win desperately. Spoke to the boys at the start of the win, we didn’t want to make any desperate decisions. Wanted to stay calm. We’ve played good cricket. The finishing touch wasn’t happening. Today was a perfect game. Batted well. Bowled well. Fielded well. Rightly so, If I look back, apart from the SRH game where we batted poorly, all the other matches were close. We put up 190-plus scores. This game will give lot of confidence. That was very critical going into this game. This is a batting dominant tournament. Few of the teams especially Sunrisers have defended well. We still have positive environment going forward. (How hard was it to drop Pollard?) It was. He has done so many good things for us. He’ll still be our match winner. But he was ready to accept it. I don’t want to dismiss him. He is still our match winner. There will be surprises going forward and whatever I do will be for the benefit for the team. (On promotion to No 3) It was a decision made according to the match situation.

Rohit Sharma is named the Man of the Match

Rohit Sharma is named the Man of the Match

Important win for Mumbai Indians that keeps their hopes alive for the season. Found languishing at the bottom of the tables, they finally rung in the changes, got their batting order right, gave key roles to key players and challenged them to come good. Rohit Sharma at 3 and Hardik Pandya at 4 in a chase was a welcome move. You can’t hide your international batsmen too far down the order, win or lose, your top players need to step up and take responsibility and that’s exactly what Rohit and Hardik did today. This could be the core team for Mumbai going forward in this season, with a few changes if they want to strengthen their bowling line up. CSK need to question their approach in the first inning. After a great start by Rayudu and Raina, their batsmen didn’t press home the advantage and waited till the death overs to really go after the bowling.

Important win for Mumbai Indians that keeps their hopes alive for the season. Found languishing at the bottom of the tables, they finally rung in the changes, got their batting order right, gave key roles to key players and challenged them to come good. Rohit Sharma at 3 and Hardik Pandya at 4 in a chase was a welcome move. You can’t hide your international batsmen too far down the order, win or lose, your top players need to step up and take responsibility and that’s exactly what Rohit and Hardik did today. This could be the core team for Mumbai going forward in this season, with a few changes if they want to strengthen their bowling line up. CSK need to question their approach in the first inning. After a great start by Rayudu and Raina, their batsmen didn’t press home the advantage and waited till the death overs to really go after the bowling.

MS Dhoni: What’s important is to realise what went wrong. It makes you learn a lot, this was one off game we were slightly short 10-15 runs short. Mumbai Indians bowled well in the middle overs. You need pace on this wicket, they bowled back of length, so it wasn’t coming on. If you have pace, you can push the batsmen back. Playing cross-batted shots weren’t easy. Their spinners also bowled well. Losses like these make you humble. If you keep winning, you don’t know the areas you’ve to work hard.

MS Dhoni: What’s important is to realise what went wrong. It makes you learn a lot, this was one off game we were slightly short 10-15 runs short. Mumbai Indians bowled well in the middle overs. You need pace on this wicket, they bowled back of length, so it wasn’t coming on. If you have pace, you can push the batsmen back. Playing cross-batted shots weren’t easy. Their spinners also bowled well. Losses like these make you humble. If you keep winning, you don’t know the areas you’ve to work hard.

Part of most wins in IPL:

98 – MS Dhoni

97 – Suresh Raina

90 – Yusuf Pathan, ROHIT SHARMA*

Part of most wins in IPL:

98 – MS Dhoni

97 – Suresh Raina

90 – Yusuf Pathan, ROHIT SHARMA*

Rohit Sharma makes a mockery of field placements for a living. He picked four 4s in the over by simply using Thakur’s pace and picking gaps in the field with consummate ease. No risk, no-frills batting.

Rohit Sharma makes a mockery of field placements for a living. He picked four 4s in the over by simply using Thakur’s pace and picking gaps in the field with consummate ease. No risk, no-frills batting.

Mumbai Indians have moved up to the 6th place with this win now.

Mumbai Indians have moved up to the 6th place with this win now.

MUMBAI INDIANS WIN BY 8 WICKETS!

It’s the fourth ball of the final over, Hardik waits and guides it wide of short third man off Tahir to hit the winning runs. What an innings from Rohit, he remained unbeaten on 56 off 33 balls. The top order contribution was the key. The openers played sensibly and then Rohit finished it off well with some sumtuous hitting.

MUMBAI INDIANS WIN BY 8 WICKETS!

It’s the fourth ball of the final over, Hardik waits and guides it wide of short third man off Tahir to hit the winning runs. What an innings from Rohit, he remained unbeaten on 56 off 33 balls. The top order contribution was the key. The openers played sensibly and then Rohit finished it off well with some sumtuous hitting.

Final over Ball 3: Short from Tahir, Rohit mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket for a single. Scores are level. 1 needed off 3.

Final over Ball 3: Short from Tahir, Rohit mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket for a single. Scores are level. 1 needed off 3.

Final over Ball 2: Rohit flicks it to deep mid-wicket and scampers through for a couple. 2 needed off 4 now.

Final over Ball 2: Rohit flicks it to deep mid-wicket and scampers through for a couple. 2 needed off 4 now.

Rohit Sharma makes a mockery of field placements for a living. He picked four 4s in the over by simply using Thakur’s pace and picking gaps in the field with consummate ease. No risk, no-frills batting.

Rohit Sharma makes a mockery of field placements for a living. He picked four 4s in the over by simply using Thakur’s pace and picking gaps in the field with consummate ease. No risk, no-frills batting.

Final over Ball 1: Hardik pushes it to long on for a single. 4 needed off 5.

Final over Ball 1: Hardik pushes it to long on for a single. 4 needed off 5.

Tahir will bowl the final over.

Tahir will bowl the final over.

FOUR! Fourth four in the over. This could be the knockout punch.

It’s full on off, Rohit shuffles, gets down and paddles it behind square leg for the fourth four of the over. Just 5 runs needed off the last over.

FOUR! Fourth four in the over. This could be the knockout punch.

It’s full on off, Rohit shuffles, gets down and paddles it behind square leg for the fourth four of the over. Just 5 runs needed off the last over.

FOUR! THREE IN A ROW! This time Shardul goes short and wide, it’s a slower one but Rohit adjusts well to guide it wide of short third man.  9 needed off 8 now.

FOUR! THREE IN A ROW! This time Shardul goes short and wide, it’s a slower one but Rohit adjusts well to guide it wide of short third man.  9 needed off 8 now.

FOUR! Nicely done by Rohit. He shuffles and flicks a full delivery on middle and off for back to back fours, off Shardul. 13 needed off 9 now.

FOUR! Nicely done by Rohit. He shuffles and flicks a full delivery on middle and off for back to back fours, off Shardul. 13 needed off 9 now.

FOUR! Low full toss outside off, Rohit slices it over backward point. The 150 comes up for MI. 17 needed off 10 now.

FOUR! Low full toss outside off, Rohit slices it over backward point. The 150 comes up for MI. 17 needed off 10 now.

Shardul will bowl the penultimate over.

Shardul will bowl the penultimate over.

After 18 overs**, Mumbai** Indians 148/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Hardik Pandya 10)

A big over for MI. Watson didn’t get his lines right. The first one was a wide outside off, the next one too, a wide which was lofted over cover by Rohit for a four. He then bowled a length ball which was clobbered for a six over long on by Hardik. Rohit then creamed another wide delivery to deep cover for a couple to make it 15 runs off the over.  22 needed off 12 balls.

After 18 overs**, Mumbai** Indians 148/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Hardik Pandya 10)

A big over for MI. Watson didn’t get his lines right. The first one was a wide outside off, the next one too, a wide which was lofted over cover by Rohit for a four. He then bowled a length ball which was clobbered for a six over long on by Hardik. Rohit then creamed another wide delivery to deep cover for a couple to make it 15 runs off the over.  22 needed off 12 balls.

SIX! Crucial blow. It’s length delivery outside off, from Watson, Hardik smashes it over long on. 25 needed off 14.

SIX! Crucial blow. It’s length delivery outside off, from Watson, Hardik smashes it over long on. 25 needed off 14.

Good move to promote Hardik Pandya at 4. To maximise your chances of a win, a team must play its key players at key moments. For India, Hardik responded well whenever he was given extra responsibility with the bat. Rohit must do the same with Hardik, instead of hiding him lower down the order.

Good move to promote Hardik Pandya at 4. To maximise your chances of a win, a team must play its key players at key moments. For India, Hardik responded well whenever he was given extra responsibility with the bat. Rohit must do the same with Hardik, instead of hiding him lower down the order.

FOUR! Poor from Tahir at the fence. Puts in a lazy effort at deep cover and Rohit gets a four off the loft over covers off Watson.

FOUR! Poor from Tahir at the fence. Puts in a lazy effort at deep cover and Rohit gets a four off the loft over covers off Watson.

Shane Watson brought back into the attack

Shane Watson brought back into the attack

After 17 overs,Mumbai Indians 133/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 30 , Hardik Pandya 3)

Another excellent over, this time from Bravo. That extra pace did the trick. Lewis departed off the first ball and then Rohit and Hardik could muster just 5 runs off the next five balls. Just a single slower delivery in that over. He’s read the track pretty well has Bravo. It’s getting tougher and tougher for MI. 37 needed off 18.

After 17 overs,Mumbai Indians 133/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 30 , Hardik Pandya 3)

Another excellent over, this time from Bravo. That extra pace did the trick. Lewis departed off the first ball and then Rohit and Hardik could muster just 5 runs off the next five balls. Just a single slower delivery in that over. He’s read the track pretty well has Bravo. It’s getting tougher and tougher for MI. 37 needed off 18.

OUT! Bravo strikes. Lewis gone!

The pressure was building and Lewis succumbed to it. Good length delivery outside off from Bravo, Lewis played a half-hearted pull, ended up miscuing it to long off where Shardul made no mistake.

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman.

OUT! Bravo strikes. Lewis gone!

The pressure was building and Lewis succumbed to it. Good length delivery outside off from Bravo, Lewis played a half-hearted pull, ended up miscuing it to long off where Shardul made no mistake.

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman.

CSK are hanging in there with a few tight overs. With 4 overs to go, and 2 out of them to be bowled by Bravo, CSK can still pull a rabbit out of the hat even though it’s still clearly MI’s game to lose.

CSK are hanging in there with a few tight overs. With 4 overs to go, and 2 out of them to be bowled by Bravo, CSK can still pull a rabbit out of the hat even though it’s still clearly MI’s game to lose.

After 16 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 128/1 ( Evin Lewis 47 , Rohit Sharma (C) 28)

Excellent over under pressure from Shardul. Might prove to be a game changer. He cramped the batsmen for room and hit the right lengths. Just five runs off it. Lewis struggled to connect off the middle. 42 needed off the last 4 overs. This is getting interesting.

After 16 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 128/1 ( Evin Lewis 47 , Rohit Sharma (C) 28)

Excellent over under pressure from Shardul. Might prove to be a game changer. He cramped the batsmen for room and hit the right lengths. Just five runs off it. Lewis struggled to connect off the middle. 42 needed off the last 4 overs. This is getting interesting.

After 15 overs,Mumbai Indians 123/1 ( Evin Lewis 45 , Rohit Sharma (C) 25)

Bravo bounced back well in that over. He started off with a wide and then conceded a boundary. Off the next five balls he conceded just four singles. 9 runs off the over. MI well on track, 47 needed off the last five overs. They will be looking for one good over of 13 or 15 odd runs to make sure they release the little bit of pressure that this there.

After 15 overs,Mumbai Indians 123/1 ( Evin Lewis 45 , Rohit Sharma (C) 25)

Bravo bounced back well in that over. He started off with a wide and then conceded a boundary. Off the next five balls he conceded just four singles. 9 runs off the over. MI well on track, 47 needed off the last five overs. They will be looking for one good over of 13 or 15 odd runs to make sure they release the little bit of pressure that this there.

Rohit Sharma hits the most ridiculous sixes in the game. A one-handed lofted drive over mid off followed by a cheeky little sweep over fine leg brings him two sixes in the over and stamps Mumbai’s ascendance in the game. Has Mumbai finally figured out their perfect batting line up with Rohit at 3?

Rohit Sharma hits the most ridiculous sixes in the game. A one-handed lofted drive over mid off followed by a cheeky little sweep over fine leg brings him two sixes in the over and stamps Mumbai’s ascendance in the game. Has Mumbai finally figured out their perfect batting line up with Rohit at 3?

FOUR! 50-stand up between Rohit and Lewis! He is a good puller of the ball! Short from Bravo on middle and off, Rohit pulls it over square leg.

FOUR! 50-stand up between Rohit and Lewis! He is a good puller of the ball! Short from Bravo on middle and off, Rohit pulls it over square leg.

After 14 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 115/1 ( Evin Lewis 43 , Rohit Sharma (C) 19)

Rohit getting into the groove. A couple of sublimes hits over the fence in the Watson over. Watson conceded two sixes and a single. 56 needed off 36. It’s MI’s game to lose especially with 9 wickets in hand.

After 14 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 115/1 ( Evin Lewis 43 , Rohit Sharma (C) 19)

Rohit getting into the groove. A couple of sublimes hits over the fence in the Watson over. Watson conceded two sixes and a single. 56 needed off 36. It’s MI’s game to lose especially with 9 wickets in hand.

Rohit Sharma now needs to hit two more sixes to become the first Asian player to hit 300 sixes in T20 cricket.

Rohit Sharma now needs to hit two more sixes to become the first Asian player to hit 300 sixes in T20 cricket.

SIX! A couple of brilliant shots in this over. Full outside off, Rohit gets down and laps it over long leg for the second six of the over.

SIX! A couple of brilliant shots in this over. Full outside off, Rohit gets down and laps it over long leg for the second six of the over.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

SIX! WOW! One-handed maximum. Leans forward and lofts it straight back over Watson’s head.

SIX! WOW! One-handed maximum. Leans forward and lofts it straight back over Watson’s head.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

After 13 overs,Mumbai Indians 101/1 ( Evin Lewis 43 , Rohit Sharma (C) 6)

It was turning out to be a good over until the last ball. Bravo bowled it full outside off, Lewis thumped it through covers four a four. The first five balls had produced just four singles. 8 runs off the over.

After 13 overs,Mumbai Indians 101/1 ( Evin Lewis 43 , Rohit Sharma (C) 6)

It was turning out to be a good over until the last ball. Bravo bowled it full outside off, Lewis thumped it through covers four a four. The first five balls had produced just four singles. 8 runs off the over.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

Harbhajan Singh has finished his best spell in recent memory. On a good batting wicket, his quota (3.5 overs) has gone for just 20 runs. He has done this by bowling a superb T20 length where he continuously landed it out of the reach of the batsmen, but it wasn’t short enough to play attacking shots off the backfoot. On top of that, he has varied his pace and flight beautifully always making subtle late adjustments by looking at batsmen’s feet. Despite Bhajji’s brilliance though, the required run rate is still very much within MI’s reach with nine wickets in hand.

FOUR! Thumped! Full outside off, Lewis drives it through covers off Bravo.

FOUR! Thumped! Full outside off, Lewis drives it through covers off Bravo.

Dwayne Bravo has taken 26 wickets against Mumbai Indians in IPL – the most by any bowler.

Dwayne Bravo has taken 26 wickets against Mumbai Indians in IPL – the most by any bowler.

Dwayne Bravo brought into the attack.

Dwayne Bravo brought into the attack.

After 12 overs,Mumbai Indians 93/1 ( Evin Lewis 37 , Rohit Sharma (C) 5)

Harbhajan ends with 3.5-0-20-1. A good spell. 6 singles off his last over. He’s been pushing them a bit quicker and bowled length deliveries. A much needed quiet over after the 16-run over by Tahir.

After 12 overs,Mumbai Indians 93/1 ( Evin Lewis 37 , Rohit Sharma (C) 5)

Harbhajan ends with 3.5-0-20-1. A good spell. 6 singles off his last over. He’s been pushing them a bit quicker and bowled length deliveries. A much needed quiet over after the 16-run over by Tahir.

Harbhajan will complete his quota as he continues.

Harbhajan will complete his quota as he continues.

After 11 overs,Mumbai Indians 87/1 ( Evin Lewis 34 , Rohit Sharma (C) 2)

Lewis seems to have a problem. He is not moving well, limping a but. He hit a couple of sixes off Tahir in that over. May be that’s why he is going for it. Tahir is not getting his lines and lengths right and had ended up conceding 21 from two overs so far.

After 11 overs,Mumbai Indians 87/1 ( Evin Lewis 34 , Rohit Sharma (C) 2)

Lewis seems to have a problem. He is not moving well, limping a but. He hit a couple of sixes off Tahir in that over. May be that’s why he is going for it. Tahir is not getting his lines and lengths right and had ended up conceding 21 from two overs so far.

SIX! Short outside off from Tahir, Lewis pulls it over long on. Second maximum of the over.

SIX! Short outside off from Tahir, Lewis pulls it over long on. Second maximum of the over.

Rohit Sharma has amassed 550 runs in IPL against CSK – the second most by any player.

Rohit Sharma has amassed 550 runs in IPL against CSK – the second most by any player.

SIX! He finally gets hold of the googly from Tahir. Full and wide outside off, Lewis launches it over extra cover.

SIX! He finally gets hold of the googly from Tahir. Full and wide outside off, Lewis launches it over extra cover.

Evin Lewis was one of the top buys for MI in this year’s auction. We were expecting the powerful West Indian to set IPL on fire like Chris Gayle of old. His batting though has been painful to watch, particularly against spin. There is no point of having a long batting line up if your batsmen at the top block one end up instead of playing with freedom. His sluggish approach was partly responsible for Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal as he was absorbing all the pressure of keeping the required run rate under control.

Evin Lewis was one of the top buys for MI in this year’s auction. We were expecting the powerful West Indian to set IPL on fire like Chris Gayle of old. His batting though has been painful to watch, particularly against spin. There is no point of having a long batting line up if your batsmen at the top block one end up instead of playing with freedom. His sluggish approach was partly responsible for Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal as he was absorbing all the pressure of keeping the required run rate under control.

After 10 overs,Mumbai Indians 71/1 ( Evin Lewis 21 , Rohit Sharma (C) 0)

A successful over from Harbhajan. He built the pressure with four singles from first four balls and then got the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. Just 6 runs and a wicket off the over.

After 10 overs,Mumbai Indians 71/1 ( Evin Lewis 21 , Rohit Sharma (C) 0)

A successful over from Harbhajan. He built the pressure with four singles from first four balls and then got the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. Just 6 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Harbhajan finally provides the breakthrough. Suryakumar is caught at the fence. 

It’s short on middle, spinning in. Suryakumar rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. He doesn’t connect well, Jadeja moves to his left, charges forward and pouches a good low catch.

OUT! Harbhajan finally provides the breakthrough. Suryakumar is caught at the fence. 

It’s short on middle, spinning in. Suryakumar rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. He doesn’t connect well, Jadeja moves to his left, charges forward and pouches a good low catch.

After 9 overs**, Mumbai** Indians 65/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 42 , Evin Lewis 17)

First signs of pressure creeping in. Lewis is beaten by the googly off the second ball and then he looks to go over the top but is beaten by another googly. Lewis then goes after another wrong’un a ball later but misses, Dhoni too misses and it runs away for four byes. Tahir ends with a full toss which is dispatched to long off fence for another four. 9 runs off the over.

After 9 overs**, Mumbai** Indians 65/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 42 , Evin Lewis 17)

First signs of pressure creeping in. Lewis is beaten by the googly off the second ball and then he looks to go over the top but is beaten by another googly. Lewis then goes after another wrong’un a ball later but misses, Dhoni too misses and it runs away for four byes. Tahir ends with a full toss which is dispatched to long off fence for another four. 9 runs off the over.

FOUR! Full toss from Tahir, Lewis plunders it to long off.

FOUR! Full toss from Tahir, Lewis plunders it to long off.

Imran Tahir into the attack…

Imran Tahir into the attack…

After 8 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 56/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 41 , Evin Lewis 13)

Just 6 runs off the last two overs. A good over from Harbhajan. Just two runs off it. Raina made a couple of very good saves to deny Lewis a couple of singles and rotate the strike. CSK have built up the pressure in the last two overs and we could see the MI openers try to up the scoring now.

After 8 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 56/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 41 , Evin Lewis 13)

Just 6 runs off the last two overs. A good over from Harbhajan. Just two runs off it. Raina made a couple of very good saves to deny Lewis a couple of singles and rotate the strike. CSK have built up the pressure in the last two overs and we could see the MI openers try to up the scoring now.

Harbhajan continues**….**

Harbhajan continues**….**

After 7 overs,Mumbai Indians 54/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 40 , Evin Lewis 12)

Good over from Watson. He hit the length and good length area and maintained decent lines outside off. Just four singles off it. This is a patient and calm start from Mumbai openers. So far very sensible batting.

After 7 overs,Mumbai Indians 54/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 40 , Evin Lewis 12)

Good over from Watson. He hit the length and good length area and maintained decent lines outside off. Just four singles off it. This is a patient and calm start from Mumbai openers. So far very sensible batting.

Suryakumar continues to shine brightly through the dark clouds of disappointment for MI this season. He has given his team another brilliant start. CSK haven’t bowled badly but this pitch is a belter and Suryakumar Yadav is in imperious form at the moment. Despite the start though, MI can’t afford to relax against a team that has quality spinners and a handler like Dhoni who knows exactly how to turn the screws with his slow bowlers.

Suryakumar continues to shine brightly through the dark clouds of disappointment for MI this season. He has given his team another brilliant start. CSK haven’t bowled badly but this pitch is a belter and Suryakumar Yadav is in imperious form at the moment. Despite the start though, MI can’t afford to relax against a team that has quality spinners and a handler like Dhoni who knows exactly how to turn the screws with his slow bowlers.

A steady start to the 170 chase. 50-run stand up between Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis. 

A steady start to the 170 chase. 50-run stand up between Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis. 

Shane Watson back on**….**

Shane Watson back on**….**

After 6 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 50/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 38 , Evin Lewis 10)

50-run stand is up and it’s the end of the powerplay. Suryakumar hit a lovely six off the fourth ball of the Shardul over. He didn’t get much movement off the air or the wicket. Three more singles made it 9 runs off the over.

After 6 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 50/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 38 , Evin Lewis 10)

50-run stand is up and it’s the end of the powerplay. Suryakumar hit a lovely six off the fourth ball of the Shardul over. He didn’t get much movement off the air or the wicket. Three more singles made it 9 runs off the over.

SIX! Suryakumar special. Just picks it up off the pads behind square leg off Shardul Thakur.

SIX! Suryakumar special. Just picks it up off the pads behind square leg off Shardul Thakur.

After 5 overs,Mumbai Indians 41/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 30 , Evin Lewis 9)

MI could have had two boundaries in that over completed by Harbhajan, but Rayaud produced a splendid effort on the lone leg fence to restrict the batsmen to just a single. Suryakumar then manufactured a boundary off the penultimate ball of the over. 7 runs off the over in which Chahar had to leave the field with a niggle. No news on what kind if injury is  it, so far.

After 5 overs,Mumbai Indians 41/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 30 , Evin Lewis 9)

MI could have had two boundaries in that over completed by Harbhajan, but Rayaud produced a splendid effort on the lone leg fence to restrict the batsmen to just a single. Suryakumar then manufactured a boundary off the penultimate ball of the over. 7 runs off the over in which Chahar had to leave the field with a niggle. No news on what kind if injury is  it, so far.

FOUR! Well placed. A touch short from Harbhajan, Suryakumar makes a bit of room and punches it through covers.

FOUR! Well placed. A touch short from Harbhajan, Suryakumar makes a bit of room and punches it through covers.

Oh dear! This is not looking good. Deepak Chahar has pulled up after bowling the first ball of the fifth over and is off the field. Harbhajan will continue the over.

Oh dear! This is not looking good. Deepak Chahar has pulled up after bowling the first ball of the fifth over and is off the field. Harbhajan will continue the over.

After 4 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 34/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 24 , Evin Lewis 8)

Another decent over for Mumbai Indians. Watson struggles to get his lines right. A slightly wide one was put away for four. A couple on the pads went for a couple of twos. 9 runs off the over. Suryakumar had nearly chipped the first ball back to the bowler as is was squared up a bit. Suryakumar has played 17 out of the 24 deliveries bowled so far.

After 4 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 34/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 24 , Evin Lewis 8)

Another decent over for Mumbai Indians. Watson struggles to get his lines right. A slightly wide one was put away for four. A couple on the pads went for a couple of twos. 9 runs off the over. Suryakumar had nearly chipped the first ball back to the bowler as is was squared up a bit. Suryakumar has played 17 out of the 24 deliveries bowled so far.

MI will be happy with this steady start, although it isn’t the starts that have hurt them this season. Chahar and Thakur have made a habit of picking up early wickets this season. Seeing them off without much damage will be a minor win for the Mumbai openers.

MI will be happy with this steady start, although it isn’t the starts that have hurt them this season. Chahar and Thakur have made a habit of picking up early wickets this season. Seeing them off without much damage will be a minor win for the Mumbai openers.

FOUR! Nicely placed. Good length delivery outside off, Suryakumar hits it uppishly through point by opening the face of the bat.

FOUR! Nicely placed. Good length delivery outside off, Suryakumar hits it uppishly through point by opening the face of the bat.

Shane Watson into the attack**….**

Shane Watson into the attack**….**

After 3 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 25/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 15 , Evin Lewis 8)

Chahar not getting his lines and lengths right. He is either too short and wide outside off or drifts it down the leg side. A couple of boundaries in that over. A single and two make it 11 runs off the over. Suryakumar Yadav is looking good out in the middle.

After 3 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 25/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 15 , Evin Lewis 8)

Chahar not getting his lines and lengths right. He is either too short and wide outside off or drifts it down the leg side. A couple of boundaries in that over. A single and two make it 11 runs off the over. Suryakumar Yadav is looking good out in the middle.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Chahar, Suryakumar upper cuts it to third man.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Chahar, Suryakumar upper cuts it to third man.

FOUR! Nicely done. The fielder was square on the fence on the leg side, Suryakumar clipped it fine for four.

FOUR! Nicely done. The fielder was square on the fence on the leg side, Suryakumar clipped it fine for four.

After 2 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 14/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 6 , Evin Lewis 6)

Shardul erred in line and length off the last ball of the over and got hit for four. He got decent swing and movement off the track. The first five balls accounted for just three runs. 7 off the over.

After 2 overs**,Mumbai** Indians 14/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 6 , Evin Lewis 6)

Shardul erred in line and length off the last ball of the over and got hit for four. He got decent swing and movement off the track. The first five balls accounted for just three runs. 7 off the over.

Suryakumar Yadav in IPL 11:

34, 72, 0, 53, 28, 43

Suryakumar Yadav in IPL 11:

34, 72, 0, 53, 28, 43

FOUR! Poor delivery to end the over. Short and down the leg side, Lewis pulls it to fine leg.

FOUR! Poor delivery to end the over. Short and down the leg side, Lewis pulls it to fine leg.

Shardul Thakur will bowl from the other end.

Shardul Thakur will bowl from the other end.

After 1 overs, Mumbai Indians 7/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 6 , Evin Lewis 0)

Chahar might have got away in that over. He offered too much width and was a touch short too. Suryakumar hit a cour and then ended up hitting a couple of punches straight to the fielder. He bowled a wide down the leg side too in that over. 7 runs off it.

After 1 overs, Mumbai Indians 7/0 ( Suryakumar Yadav 6 , Evin Lewis 0)

Chahar might have got away in that over. He offered too much width and was a touch short too. Suryakumar hit a cour and then ended up hitting a couple of punches straight to the fielder. He bowled a wide down the leg side too in that over. 7 runs off it.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Chahar, Suryakumar thumps it through point.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Chahar, Suryakumar thumps it through point.

Rohit is not opening. Lewis and Suryakumar are the openers. Deepak Chahar will open the bowling.

Rohit is not opening. Lewis and Suryakumar are the openers. Deepak Chahar will open the bowling.

Dhoni had an animated discussion during the huddle as the CSK players made it to the field.

Dhoni had an animated discussion during the huddle as the CSK players made it to the field.

Mumbai need 170. If Rohit was offered this target after winning the toss and electing to field on a good batting wicket, he would have grabbed it with both hands. MI have strengthened their batting for this game and some of those big names in their line up need to carry their weight now in this crucial game. Their batting order has been a topic of much debate this season, they may be tempted to promote Rohit back to the opening position with Duminy in the side, but it’s more likely they won’t tinker much with what has worked for them at the top and continue with Suryakumar Yadav. Lewis, Surya, Ishan, Rohit, Duminy, Hardik would be my preferred batting order for Mumbai. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hardik getting promoted though with a license to go after the spinners in the middle overs.

Mumbai need 170. If Rohit was offered this target after winning the toss and electing to field on a good batting wicket, he would have grabbed it with both hands. MI have strengthened their batting for this game and some of those big names in their line up need to carry their weight now in this crucial game. Their batting order has been a topic of much debate this season, they may be tempted to promote Rohit back to the opening position with Duminy in the side, but it’s more likely they won’t tinker much with what has worked for them at the top and continue with Suryakumar Yadav. Lewis, Surya, Ishan, Rohit, Duminy, Hardik would be my preferred batting order for Mumbai. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hardik getting promoted though with a license to go after the spinners in the middle overs.

CSK today:

First 10 overs: 91/1 (RR – 9.10)

Next 10 overs: 78/4 (RR – 7.80)

CSK today:

First 10 overs: 91/1 (RR – 9.10)

Next 10 overs: 78/4 (RR – 7.80)

Fielding first teams’ record at Pune in IPL with a target of 150-plus:

Matches won – 10

Matches lost – 14

Fielding first teams’ record at Pune in IPL with a target of 150-plus:

Matches won – 10

Matches lost – 14

After 20 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 169/5 ( Suresh Raina 75 , Ravindra Jadeja 0)

CSK have posted 169/5! It was turning out to be a brilliant over until the last ball. The first four balls yielded three runs and a wicket. Raina then got a couple before ending in style with a six over deep mid-wicket. The Mumbai bowlers have done a good job and CSK might have fallen short by 15-20 runs.

After 20 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 169/5 ( Suresh Raina 75 , Ravindra Jadeja 0)

CSK have posted 169/5! It was turning out to be a brilliant over until the last ball. The first four balls yielded three runs and a wicket. Raina then got a couple before ending in style with a six over deep mid-wicket. The Mumbai bowlers have done a good job and CSK might have fallen short by 15-20 runs.

SIX! Raina ends in style. Backs away and whips it over deep mid-wicket. Brilliant shot.

SIX! Raina ends in style. Backs away and whips it over deep mid-wicket. Brilliant shot.

MI will be delighted with the way they have come back into this game after the start from Rayudu and Raina. CSK looked set to get a total of 190+ at one stage, they will be delighted if they get there now. Raina has looked good in his last few outings but he isn’t giving you those big 20 run overs anymore.

MI will be delighted with the way they have come back into this game after the start from Rayudu and Raina. CSK looked set to get a total of 190+ at one stage, they will be delighted if they get there now. Raina has looked good in his last few outings but he isn’t giving you those big 20 run overs anymore.

OUT! Good slower delivery from Hardik. He sees Billings dance down the track, delivers the slower one. Billings looks to drag it across, ends up hitting it straight to long on.

OUT! Good slower delivery from Hardik. He sees Billings dance down the track, delivers the slower one. Billings looks to drag it across, ends up hitting it straight to long on.

Hardik Pandya will bowl the last over.

Hardik Pandya will bowl the last over.

After 19 overs, Chennai Super Kings 158/4 ( Suresh Raina 65 , Sam Billings 2)

Bumrah bounced back well in that over. After conceding a 2 and a six off the first two balls, he changed his pace and ended up conceding just three off the next four balls. 11 runs off the over. CSK needs a big, big final over. Might fall a bit short else, it seems.

After 19 overs, Chennai Super Kings 158/4 ( Suresh Raina 65 , Sam Billings 2)

Bumrah bounced back well in that over. After conceding a 2 and a six off the first two balls, he changed his pace and ended up conceding just three off the next four balls. 11 runs off the over. CSK needs a big, big final over. Might fall a bit short else, it seems.

SIX! Cracking shot. Raina stays in his crease and launches it over the cow corner off Bumrah. Not an easy shot to play against Bumrah.

SIX! Cracking shot. Raina stays in his crease and launches it over the cow corner off Bumrah. Not an easy shot to play against Bumrah.

After 18 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 147/4 ( Suresh Raina 55 , Sam Billings 1)

McClenaghan has bowled a crucial over and pulled things back a bit. The wickets of Dhoni and Bravo were huge in that over and he ended up conceding just four runs off it.

After 18 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 147/4 ( Suresh Raina 55 , Sam Billings 1)

McClenaghan has bowled a crucial over and pulled things back a bit. The wickets of Dhoni and Bravo were huge in that over and he ended up conceding just four runs off it.

I said a while back that Dhoni’s slow start is both a threat and an opportunity for Mumbai. He had shifted gears and was on the move, but Mumbai have prevented him from running away with a timely dismissal. Despite delivering a few thunderous blows, Dhoni finishes with 26 off 21, a relatively cheap bargain for Mumbai. And what’s more, his wicket also brings another one as Bravo goes for a golden suck. Mumbai have been on the button in the last few overs.

I said a while back that Dhoni’s slow start is both a threat and an opportunity for Mumbai. He had shifted gears and was on the move, but Mumbai have prevented him from running away with a timely dismissal. Despite delivering a few thunderous blows, Dhoni finishes with 26 off 21, a relatively cheap bargain for Mumbai. And what’s more, his wicket also brings another one as Bravo goes for a golden suck. Mumbai have been on the button in the last few overs.

OUT! McClenaghan gets two in the over. Bravo is back in the dugout.

A touch short outside off, Bravo looks to swing across the line, ends up getting an outside edge to backward point where Markande does well to pouch it. Gone for a golden duck. That extra pace did the trick. Perhaps, Bravo also seemed confused whether to slash or swing across the line, ended up playing a half-hearted shot.

OUT! McClenaghan gets two in the over. Bravo is back in the dugout.

A touch short outside off, Bravo looks to swing across the line, ends up getting an outside edge to backward point where Markande does well to pouch it. Gone for a golden duck. That extra pace did the trick. Perhaps, Bravo also seemed confused whether to slash or swing across the line, ended up playing a half-hearted shot.

Bumrah hasn’t quite nailed his famous yorkers this season with the same frequency that we are used to seeing. We talk about batsmen changing their games to suit different formats but even bowlers struggle to rediscover their T20 length after a season of playing primarily Test and ODIs. He is still Mumbai’s most reliable bowler though.

Bumrah hasn’t quite nailed his famous yorkers this season with the same frequency that we are used to seeing. We talk about batsmen changing their games to suit different formats but even bowlers struggle to rediscover their T20 length after a season of playing primarily Test and ODIs. He is still Mumbai’s most reliable bowler though.

OUT! McClenaghan sends back Dhoni.

It’s a full toss outside off, a touch wide. Dhoni is early into his shot and ends up mistiming it to deep extra cover. McClenaghan is delighted and performs a ‘patting the pitch’ Sreesanth type celebrations.

Dwayne Bravo is the new batsman.

OUT! McClenaghan sends back Dhoni.

It’s a full toss outside off, a touch wide. Dhoni is early into his shot and ends up mistiming it to deep extra cover. McClenaghan is delighted and performs a ‘patting the pitch’ Sreesanth type celebrations.

Dwayne Bravo is the new batsman.

After 17 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 143/2 ( Suresh Raina 52 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 26)

Another good over for CSK. Raina played well with the field and hit a couple of well-placed boundaries. He has got to his fifty and would look to up the ante big time. 12 runs off the Bumrah over. CSK would be looking to score somewhere around 30-40 runs in the next three.

After 17 overs**,Chennai** Super Kings 143/2 ( Suresh Raina 52 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 26)

Another good over for CSK. Raina played well with the field and hit a couple of well-placed boundaries. He has got to his fifty and would look to up the ante big time. 12 runs off the Bumrah over. CSK would be looking to score somewhere around 30-40 runs in the next three.

50 up for ‘Chinna Thala’ Suresh Raina. 

50 up for ‘Chinna Thala’ Suresh Raina. 

FIFTY for Raina! FOUR! Low full toss from Bumrah, Raina gets across and flicks it over square leg. A very good innings so far from him.

FIFTY for Raina! FOUR! Low full toss from Bumrah, Raina gets across and flicks it over square leg. A very good innings so far from him.

Suresh Raina has now completed 22,000 runs in his professional career.

Suresh Raina has now completed 22,000 runs in his professional career.

Most sixes v Mumbai Indians in IPL:

32 – Suresh Raina

27 – MS DHONI*

26 – Chris Gayle

Most sixes v Mumbai Indians in IPL:

32 – Suresh Raina

27 – MS DHONI*

26 – Chris Gayle