IPL 2018, CSK vs MI: 5 reasons why CSK lost

It was a contest between two teams at opposite ends of the league table, as Chennai Super Kings were hosting Mumbai Indians at MCA Stadium in Pune.

In a must-win game, MI asked the home team to bat first. Chennai didn’t get off to a great start but seasoned campaigner in Suresh Raina joined their top run-getter in this season to up the ante of runs. It was a handy knock from him to see his team post a reasonable 169 on the board.

Chasing 170 to win, Mumbai were well on course to get to the target with a great start to their innings. Despite some late hiccup in the middle overs, the men in blue registered their second win of the tournament to beat the table toppers by eight wickets.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that meant a loss for CSK:

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#1 Match-defining spell from Mitchell McClenaghan

The home team was well on course to post a high score on the board before the Kiwi pacer wreaked some havoc in that fragile middle order. He was brought in the 18th over to put some shackles on the scoring rate and did what the doctor ordered.

He managed to get some big scalps in the form of their skipper and Dwayne Bravo, who could well smack few biggies at the end. The courtesy that one over, Mumbai were able to restrict the men in yellow to just 169, minimizing the probable damage in the death overs.

#2 Not enough flourish at the end for CSK

After posting 91 in the first ten overs, Chennai looked well on course to post a total near 200. But the opposition had their own plans as they didn’t let the home team tee off in the final ten as they picked wickets at crucial junctures of the game.

In the last ten overs, the men in yellow could only manage to score 78 runs. This was made possible by some consistent good length bowling that paved way for the visitors to stage a comeback in the match. With no support from the other end, even Raina’s knock of 75 could just help Chennai to put 169 in their 20 overs.

#3 No wickets bagged in the powerplay by the CSK bowlers

Defending 170 at a small ground at Pune, it was important from Chennai’s point of view to put the opposition under pressure early on in the innings. However, in a quest to do so, they bowled some attacking lines and were taken for plenty in the first six.

Mumbai batters were smart in their approach as they not only kept wickets in hand but also maintained a healthy scoring rate. In the powerplay, they managed fifty runs without losing any wickets. This was one moment in the match that saw the home team being pushed on the backfoot and gave the men in blue, a glimmer hopes to register their third win in the tournament.

#4 Rohit Sharma’s valiant knock of 56 off 33 deliveries

Mumbai skipper once again proved his brilliance against a lack-lustre Chennai attack as he seemed to expose the table-toppers’ weak link in the league. Coming in after the fall of Surya Kumar Yadav, Rohit blazed his way to a quickfire knock, to lead his side in the chase.

He looked positive with an attacking approach and went about his business with utmost ease. This was much-needed from Mumbai’s point of view after a bit scratchy middle-overs phase. The skipper took off the pressure from Evin Lewis, who was stroking it well on the other end. He managed to hit two sixes and six fours in his knock of 56.

#5 Evin Lewis rose to the occasion with his smart knock

It was a must-win game for Mumbai Indians considering their so far caravan in the league. Chasing a tricky total of 170, it was much important to get a brisk start at the top to get things underway for the visitors. The openers did exactly the same as they went hard at the bowlers in the first six overs.

Evin Lewis, with a handy knock of 47, played the aggressor’s role despite a scratchy start in the initial overs. It saw a conscious effort from his side to stuck it in the middle as he held the innings together even after the loss of Yadav in the middle overs. The Carribean southpaw, who was later joined by his skipper, almost paved way for a comfortable Mumbai win.