The ability of big players to raise the bar in the most challenging conditions separates them from others. It was on display in abundance on Sunday night in the marquee clash in the Indian Premier League between the most successful outfits in the league.
Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube – despite having a relatively quiet first half with the willow – put on 79 runs off 50 balls to help Chennai Super Kings set Mumbai Indians a target of 177 at the Wankhede Stadium. Rohit Sharma then woke up from a slumber while Suryakumar Yadav had an impact that matched that of Rohit, the Impact Player.
The duo’s unbroken association of 114 runs off just 54 balls meant Mumbai crossed the line with nine wickets and a whopping 26 balls to spare.
A quickfire Powerplay was the need of the hour for Mumbai Indians to ensure it continued its winning run. Rohit and Ryan Rickelton delivered in style, with former leading the charge. The veteran batter was at his marauding best, clearing the field literally at will.
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Khaleel Ahmed suffered his wrath. So did Jamie Overton and the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. Even veteran R. Ashwin – who bowled an economical spell after coming in as an Impact Player – saw a slog sweep sailing over the boundary ropes.
If Rohit was in top gear, Suryakumar wanted to break the gearbox. His charge off Noor and Matheesha Pathirana was so brutal that he sealed the deal with consecutive sixes – an inside-out drive over covers followed by a straight hit.
Earlier in the night, Dube and Jadeja helped CSK claw its way back into the match. Despite Ayush Mhatre’s impressive debut, CSK managed 48 runs in the Powerplay. While Dube and Jadeja took their time, they ensured that the 21-ball streak without a boundary was made up in the latter part of the innings.
The duo targeted left-armer Ashwani Kumar in the 16th over. While Jadeja started it with a four and ended it with a straight six, Dube smashed consecutive sixes in between, aided by a dropped catch by Jasprit Bumrah. The over cost MI 24 runs. Jadeja then finished the innings on a high, fetching 16 off Trent Boult’s last over of the innings.