IPL 2022 | MI vs CSK | Mumbai Indians dump Chennai Super Kings' playoff dreams

The second round of ‘El Clasico’ saw Mumbai Indians (MI) play spoil-sport to Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) playoff plans, as the defending champions suffered a mammoth defeat in the 59th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. 

Opting to bowl first, MI were off to a dream start as their pacers breathed fire in the powerplay overs. Albeit, CSK were at the receiving end of a controversial dismissal for their main man, Devon Conway, who could not opt for a DRS (due to a power outage in the stadium). After another howler from the umpire, the MS Dhoni-led unit was completely left rattled.

From Ruturaj Gaikwad to Dwayne Bravo, the MI bowlers sent everyone packing. In the first over itself, Daniel Sams shone in front of the Wankhede crowd, claiming the wickets of Conway and Moeen Ali.

If Sams's early onslaught wasn't enough, Jasprit Bumrah bamboozled Robin Uthappa through an out-swinging delivery, leading to a leg-before dismissal. Ambati Rayudu did play a few aggressive strokes, but his uncomfortable stay at the crease was cut short by a peach from Riley Meredith. 

CSK skipper MS Dhoni was the last man standing for his team with no support from the other end. Dhoni, who usually starts off slow, took the attack to the opposition straightaway. He took the calculative risks off MI's spin-twins, Kumar Kartikeya and Hrithik Shokeen.

However, as wickets continued to tumble, CSK never seemed in control. Dhoni struck a 39-run partnership with Dwayne Bravo, but after the latter's wicket fell, it all came down to the talismanic wicket-keeper batsman.

As it was the final ball of the 16th over, Dhoni, in a bid to retain strike, forced Mukesh Choudhary for a non-existing single, who could not make it to the other end in time, courtesy of Ishan Kishan, who hit the bulls-eye. The Super Kings finished at 97/10, in 16 overs, their second-lowest total in the history of IPL.

The CSK bowlers were left with an improbable task of defending a total of sorts which has never been done in the league's history. Still, Choudhary, along with Simarjeet Singh came out hard on MI's batters, swinging the ball both ways in the initial overs.

The pace duo bowled their four overs on the trot, providing CSK with the wickets of Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Sams and Tristan Stubbs.

Mumbai found themselves in a spot of bother, reeling at 33/4. But the two MI youngsters, Tilak Varma and Hrithik Shokeen watched out the spells of Mukesh and Simarjeet and then constantly rotated the strike as the required rate was never a thing to worry about.

While Shokeen fell just at the brink of a win, Tim David flexed his muscles and sent a few mighty hits to the crowd to seal the match for MI by five wickets.

For his decisive spell of bowling, Sams walked away with the 'Player of the Match' title.

Brief scores:

Chennai Super Kings - 97/10 (16)

MS Dhoni 36*(33), Dwayne Bravo 12(15);

Daniel Sams 3-16 (4), Kumar Kartikeya 2-22 (3)

Mumbai Indians - 103/5 (14.5)

Tilak Varma 34*(32), Rohit Sharma 18(14);

Mukesh Choudhary 3-23 (4), Simarjeet Singh 1-22 (4)

Mumbai Indians won by five wickets.