CSK vs MI, 30th Match at Dubai, IPL, Sep 19 2021 - Match Result

Right guys. The IPL is back and how. We've had a sensational game to kick off the second installment at season-14. At 7 for 3, I was actually thinking (even if I didn't say it aloud) whether we'd all have an early finish. But hey, Ruturaj Gaikwad played a stunning knock to first give CSK a total to defend before their bowlers killed the chase. Monday is a new day, a new game. Eoin Morgan's KKR up against Virat Kohli's RCB. Don't forget to tune in for that. Until then this is Shashank saying goodbye on behalf of my crew: Sreshth Shah, Venkar Raghav and Chandan Duroah. Cheers all

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the Player of the Match for his incredible unbeaten 88. "Obviously one of my top innings until now, given the pressure we were in. I had to grind it out, bat till 10-12 overs, give myself time and push for 120-130, and then slowly 140-150 was possible. It was a matter of spending time in the middle. Mahi bhai, everyone in the CSK management, once they back you, they don't make you think anything but positive things. The Sri Lanka tour and preparation coming here helped a lot. Initially there was seam and swing movement, but I had to take my chances against the spinners. Jaddu just came in so I had to take a chance and it came off well."

MS Dhoni: "At 30 for 4, you want to put up a respectable score, I felt Rutu and Bravo got us more than what we expected. We thought of 140, to get close to 160 was tremendous. The wicket was two-paced, slightly slow to start off. Also it's difficult if you're batting lower down, if you don't get a chance to see what is happening, you want to go hard. Rayudu got injured, so it was tough to come back from there but we batted sensibly and finished superbly. It was sensible for one batter to bat right through to the end."

Noor: "A mention for Jadeja too. Sure he had a strike rate of less than 100 but without him don't think Gaikwad would have been able to play the way he played today. Oh and Hazlewood too for getting CSK's nemesis Pollard."

Kaarthikeyan S: "Apparently Cricinfo predictor was spot on."

Animesh Kherwar: "I remember that CricInfo had predicted 137 for CSK after that collapse and the commentator had said that CSK Fans would gladly take that. MI scored exactly 136. How about that?" -- How this game proves we can be made to look silly at times.

Navin: "Josh picking up Pollard is my match winning moment!! We all know what that calm looking monster guy could do to us."

Dwayne Bravo: "To start our campaign with a win is a very good feeling. I'm feeling good, was trying to protect myself in the last stage of the CPL. Had one bowling session in the nets here and I felt good. Look forward to getting through four overs in the other games too. Batting is very important, now I bat lower down the order with a batting line-up like CSK, but it's about trying to win key moments, capitalise on the 12 balls I get. Or if there's 11 overs left, adjust and adapt. It's about keeping my shape, adjusting. In five balls if you can make 20, it can make a difference like today. I have the ability to bat, can only do so much when there are few opportunities. Ruturaj batted really well, he's a quality player. Has the appetite for runs, good to have someone like him who can steady the team and others bat around him."

Losing captain Kieron Pollard: " Ruturaj batted really well. In T20 cricket, if one person bats through he can hurt you. We didn't finish off well with the ball. Losing by 20 runs you know those were the extra runs we conceded. Surface was good, new ball had movement, our seamers got early wickets. But we wanted to continue that momentum all the way. Even though they got 150+, as a batting team we could've gotten that. Losing three wickets was a cardinal sin for us. Given the circumstances, Saurabh batted really well."

9.49pm Only the second time that CSK have won an IPL game after losing four wickets in the powerplay. At 24 for 4 after six, very few experts would've said that the three-time champs could've pulled off the win. But hey, that's what one good innings can do. Ruturaj Gaikwad's 88 undid all of Mumbai's good work in the back end, and then Bravo's cameo gave CSK the momentum at the break.

Deepak Chahar's new-ball strikes then pushed Mumbai onto the back foot early, after which Dhoni's troops just marched on without looking back. An enterprising innings from Saurabh Tiwary to hit fifty, but he had two big issues: a) no big partnership with a fellow batter, and b) scored way too slowly for most of his innings. Dhoni, Gaikwad, Jadeja and Raina are all smiles near the boundary line as the organisers prepare for the presentation ceremony. CSK move to the top of the IPL 2021 points table, Mumbai in danger of falling outside the top 4 if they get on a losing streak.

Two runs in five balls so far from Bravo.

Badri Prasad DS: "Ask Crickinfo for help, most wickets in 20th over in IPL - None other than DJ Bravo - 33, excluding these two."

Tushar: "That 8 ball 23 by Bravo is going to be the difference. MI needed such a cameo from someone. "

Bravo needs to avoid the slot length. So he's better off going short or for a wide yorker instead of bowling stump to stump. Short fine leg and short third man in place.

The experienced DJ Bravo will bowl the 20th. Tiwary has strike.

Hemant: "Plz update me about Rayudu's injury. I am getting tensed as he is a vital cog in this lots-of-hole CSK batting line up" -- No update yet. Reckon they will know the diagnosis only after scans come back.

Athu: "Chennai also scored 39 in the last 2 overs."

Mumbai need 39 in 12. Otherwise CSK go to the top of the IPL 2021 points table.

Chahar running in to bowl, but wait... he has pulled up on his delivery stride. Injury or cramp? CSK would hope its the latter. Chahar's having a stretch.

Kai : "I'm not celebrating just yet. I remember what happened the last time, that Pollard innings still gives me nighmares"