IPL 2018, CSK vs MI: Four best decisions from the game

It was the clash of the Titans as Chennai Super Kings went up against their old rivals, Mumbai Indians in Pune. Both teams were seeking wins for different reasons. While CSK were looking to strengthen their position at the top of the points table, MI was looking to move up the ladder.

Mumbai won the toss and opted to chase in an important game for them. Chennai got off to a decent start before Krunal sent Watson packing. The in-form Rayudu joined hands with Raina and began counter-attacking the Mumbai bowlers. They stitched together a wonderful 71 runs stand before Rayudu threw his wicket away. Mumbai came back into the contest with some tight bowling and despite Raina's unbeaten 75, Chennai was restricted to 169 for 5 in 20 overs.

Chasing 170, Mumbai began well with Suryakumar and Evin Lewis taking their time to get their eyes in. Runs were not coming at a fast clip it Mumbai knew that wickets in hand would be key on a two-paced surface. Suryakumar fell in the 10th for a well made 44 to give CSK some hope of a comeback. Rohit Sharma walked in at three and began hitting some glorious shots which brought the run rate down. Evin Lewis fell and the run rate crept up but Rohit kept his calm and along with Hardik took Mumbai over the line.

Let's take a look at some the best decisions which had an impact on the game.

#1 Bowling the left arm spinner Krunal Pandya to Shane Watson

CSK got off to a decent start and looked like going unscattered in the powerplay. Mumbai needed a wicket and knowing Watson's susceptibility to left-arm spinners, Rohit introduced Krunal Pandya into the attack in the fifth over and it straightaway paid off as the Aussie skied one, which was well caught by Markande. Top captaincy that by Rohit Sharma knowing that Watson was dismissed by a left-arm spinner in CSK’s previous game versus RCB.

#2 Bringing McClenaghan on, worked wonders for Mumbai

Chennai Super Kings were batting brilliantly courtesy Rayudu and Raina. They were taking the game away from Mumbai and looked well set for a score in excess of 180, but then came the game-changing over. Rohit brought back his strike bowler, McClenaghan to bowl the 18th over and the New Zealander didn't disappoint his captain. He picked up the massive wickets of MS Dhoni and DJ Bravo in the space of three balls and brought the visiting side back into the game. McClenaghan's brilliant over helped Mumbai restrict CSK to below 170.

#3 Smart batting by Mumbai openers

On a two-paced wicket, Mumbai was given 170 to chase. They knew it wasn't going to easy and needed to start well. The Mumbai openers, Suryakumar and Evin Lewis did exactly that and began cautiously. Runs weren't coming quickly and the openers knew that keeping wickets in hand would be key in chasing the tricky target. Suryakumar fell in the 10th over which brought captain Rohit Sharma to the crease. In the end, the openers’ smart batting paid off as Mumbai sealed the deal with their captain Rohit Sharma stepping up with a fine unbeaten half-century.

#4 Rohit walks in at three

Chasing 170 on a two-paced wicket and in a crunch game where Mumbai desperately needed to win, Rohit Sharma promoted himself at number three after the dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav. They needed their captain to fire and boy he did. He started off in fine fashion with some glorious shots and never looked like stopping despite losing Evin Lewis. The run rate kept creeping up but Rohit remained calm and composed. His unbeaten 56 off just 33 balls took the Mumbai Indians over the line. It was a captain's innings by one of the finest batsmen of this generation.