IPL History: Three memorable nail-biting encounters between MI and CSK

Every sport is bound to have some historic rivalries in its legacy. Cricket is no stranger to such rivalries. ‘The Ashes,’ the century-old epic rivalry between Australia and England is often regarded as the greatest rivalry in the history of Cricket. The India-Pakistan rivalry is not very much behind the Ashes rivalry.

In the Indian Premier League, it is the Mumbai Indians-Chennai Super Kings rivalry, which is considered as the mother of all IPL clashes. Some even term their match as the ‘El Clasico’ of IPL.

In terms of consistency, it is a well-known fact that CSK is the most consistent team in the history of IPL. In terms of title wins, MI and CSK are the only two teams to win the IPL trophy thrice. However, in terms of head-to-head, the Mumbai Indians edge their archrivals with 15-12 win-loss record. Besides, MI is the only team to have a high success rate against CSK in IPL history.

Ahead of today’s clash, let us look at three best nail-biting encounters between these two teams in the history of IPL.

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#3 Pollard’s bucket hands overcame the ‘Dhoni’ factor

Kieron Pollard was awarded the 'Man of the Match' for his all-around skills (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

CSK started their IPL 2013 campaign with an exciting contest against MI in their home venue. Ricky Ponting, the new MI skipper, won the toss and elected to bat first in the match 5 of IPL 2013. Mumbai had an abysmal start to their innings as they lost wickets in quick session. However, a 65-run partnership between Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh for the seventh wicket ensured that MI finished their innings on high with a below-par target of 149.

Since the target was under par, CSK were expected to effortlessly chase down the target and open their account in the points table. However, with CSK being CSK, the match went down until the last over as MI bowlers took wickets at regular intervals. CSK required 12 runs in the final over with MS Dhoni being the only genuine batsman in the crease. Though only two wickets were in hand for CSK, they were the hot favorites at that stage because of the ‘Dhoni’ factor.

Munaf Patel was given that arduous task of defending 12 runs from six balls. Patel bowled the first ball right in the slot for Dhoni who heaved it high in the direction of cow-corner. However, the big West Indies all-rounder, Kieron Pollard leapt high and plucked the ball in the air with his bucket hands. If not for Pollard, then the ball would have definitely crossed the boundary line.

It was an unfortunate dismissal for Dhoni as he failed to guide his team to the finishing line. In the end, only two runs were conceded in the last over, and MI won the match comfortably by nine runs.

#2 Dwayne Smith’s 3-ball stunner

Dwayne Smith's 3-ball stunner sealed the game for MI (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

MI hosted the defending champions CSK for the 49th match of IPL 2012. Harbhajan Singh, the skipper of Mumbai Indians, won the toss and opted to field first. Contributions from Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, and Dwayne Bravo ensured that CSK posted a competitive target of 174 for MI.

In reply, MI lost James Franklin in the third over of the run chase with only eight runs on the scoreboard. However, a 126-run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma for the second wicket ensured that MI was on-target in the run chase. However, quick wickets in the end-overs twisted the match in favor of CSK.

With 16 runs required from the last six balls, Ben Hilfenhaus conceded two runs and dismissed Lasith Malinga in the first three balls. The equation was reduced to 14 from the final three deliveries with the odds heavily stacked against MI. Dwayne Smith, who was bought as a replacement player for injured Mitchell Johnson was on strike in the fourth ball of that over.

As a shell shock to the CSK team and fans, Smith did the unthinkable by smoking 14 runs in the last three balls with one six and two fours. In the process, Smith essayed one of the finest last-over heists in the history of IPL with his 24 runs from nine balls.

#1 CSK’s epic comeback for the ages

Jadhav's one-legged innings scripted a terrific comeback for CSK (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

After a two-year exile from the tournament, CSK made their much-awaited comeback in the opening match of IPL 2018 by clashing against their nemesis, Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni, the forever skipper of CSK, won the toss and decided to bowl first.

CSK were off to a dream start as they dismissed the Mumbai Openers, Rohit Sharma and Evin Lewis cheaply. However, contributions from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Pandya brothers helped MI to post an average target of 166.

In reply, CSK batting line-up collapsed miserably as Hardik Pandya, and debutant Mayank Markande grabbed three wickets each. At the end of 17th over, 47 runs were required from 18 balls with CSK reeling at 119/8. With Kedar Jadhav retired hurt in the middle of the innings, Dwayne Bravo was the only hope for the Men in Yellow.

In a bizarre turn-around of things, MI conceded 40 runs in the next two overs with Bravo scoring 39 of them before losing his wicket at the last ball of the 19th over. As a result, the equation for CSK was reduced to seven runs from six balls with only one wicket remaining. Jadhav, who tore his hamstring earlier returned to face the final over of the match.

Mustafizur Rahman bowled three consecutive dots to Jadhav. Since Jadhav was unable to run, he had no options other than to smash boundaries. Predicting the repeated line and lengths of Fizz, Jadhav premeditated his scoop and lifted the ball over the head of the fielder at short fine leg for a six. With the scores level, Jadhav smashed the next ball through cover for four to seal the match for CSK.