IPL 2019, Qualifier 1: Twitter erupts as Rohit Sharma takes MI to finals for the fourth time

The two strong sides of the Indian Premier League (IPL) faced each other for the third time this season in the all-important match. The winner in this qualifier one would book their place in the IPL 2019 finals at Hyderabad. The match was played on a sluggish wicket at The Chepauk. Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. CSK had lost both the matches to Mumbai Indians in the league stages & was determined to turn it around.

Mumbai Indians exploited the conditions on offer very early in the match by introducing spin. Skipper Rohit Sharma was brave enough to add Jayant Yadav in the playing XI in the all-important match. Rahul Chahar and Jayant sent the CSK top order back to pavilion in no time. The relentless spin attack had CSK reeling at 32/3 within powerplay. It was Ambati Rayudu & Murali Vijay who took their time to control further damage for CSK. Towards the end of the innings, a decent knock from Dhoni and Rayudu took CSK to a score of 132, which was below par.

In reply, Deepak Chahar struck early to get rid of Rohit Sharma & soon Quinton de Kock followed him. It was Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan who played sensibly to stitch a valuable partnership in the context of the game to take Mumbai closer to a place in the finals.

CSK had their moments in the game, but an unbeaten Suryakumar and Hardik Pandya took Mumbai Indians across the line. Suryakumar became the hero for Mumbai with an unbeaten knock of 71 runs. Mumbai will now play in the finals at Hyderabad against the winner of the Qualifier 2 at Vizag. It means Rohit Sharma has taken them to the finals in every alternate year since 2013.

An excellent team picked at the auctions. Led by an astute captain. #MI is by far the most complete team in this #IPL. Have beaten #CSK in Chennai last five times...and already thrice in this season. Says it all... 👏🙌👏 #MIvCSK

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 7, 2019

Hey! What is this #MIvCSK ? I mean, I heard there’s some qualifier or something? Some tournament called IPL or whatever? I mean, i’m an RCB fan, I thought the tournaments over? What’s this all about 😬

— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) May 7, 2019

Rohit Sharma has won each of his seven IPL matches against CSK at Chennai.#MIvCSK

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 7, 2019

Fantastic @mipaltan ! I think this has been their best performance in #IPL2019 A tough wicket, tough opponents, playing away from home. Have quietly watched and admired #SuryakumarYadav - talented, fluid with a good head on his shoulders. But all in all, a great team effort.

— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) May 7, 2019

Most wins Against an Opponent In IPLMI - 19 vs KKRMI - 16 vs CSK*MI - 16 vs RCBKKR - 16 vs KXIPCSK - 15 vs RCB#MIvCSK

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) May 7, 2019

The best death bowler vs the best finisher.India is a very, very lucky nation to have both of them on their side of the boundary. #CSKvMI

— Manya (@CSKian716) May 7, 2019

Every one is a until a real Gangster. Gangster walks into Anbuden#MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/Z14mMpdsF3

— Sahil (@imsahil_11) May 7, 2019

Rohit Sharma vs #CSK at Chepauk (#IPL):For Deccan:Won by seven wkts, 2008 Won by 31 runs, 2010For #MI Won by eight wkts, 2012Won by nine runs, 2013Won by six wkts, 2015Won by 46 runs, 2019Won by six wkts, 2019#MIvCSK

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 7, 2019

Congratulations @imro45 & @mipaltan on qualifying for @IPL 2019 final. Best of luck for the big game on Sunday #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/elkFBmp6bW

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 7, 2019

So the @mipaltan juggernaut rolls on in Chennai. They have the spinners for Chepauk as @ImRo45 said to me when I asked him and also have the batters who play spin well. That’s why they win against Chennai in Chennai.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 7, 2019

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