MS Dhoni attempted to boost Rohit Sharma’s spirits after the latter’s century fell short in the IPL 2024 match between MI and CSK.
The Chennai Super Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians by 20 runs, with Matheesha Pathirana and an ageless MS Dhoni delivering decisive blows. The Mumbai Indians stalwart gave it his all, hitting an undefeated 105-run effort, but MI struggled to reach the target of 207 runs on Sunday. As Rohit returned empty-handed despite his ton, Dhoni tried to boost his spirits with an embrace at the end of play.
Pathirana took 4 for 28 to stop MI’s pursuit at 186 for six after Dhoni hit three straight sixes in the final over, which was bowled by Hardik Pandya, to accelerate CSK to a massive 206 for four.
During his 63-ball innings, Rohit blasted 11 fours and five sixes for his only second IPL century and first since 2012. The ground at Wankhede Stadium is still good for batting, but despite his incredible effort, the rest of the team did not match it.
However, with eight points in their kitty, CSK moved up to third.
Mumbai captain Pandya continued to face occasional jeers in a match when the biggest applause was reserved for Dhoni.
At least once, though, he was supported by a segment of the crowd, much as they did during the previous matchup with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Mumbai Indians were competitive in the first half thanks to Rohit’s consistent acceleration and some helpful contributions from others, unlike CSK, who scored most of their runs in the final 10 overs (136).Ishan Kishan raced to 23 off 15 balls (3x4s, 1x6s) after Rohit laid the groundwork for Mumbai once more with a solid 70-run stand in seven overs.
After Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav (0) were removed during the powerplay, MI’s pacer Pathirana produced a two-wicket over. Mustafizur Rahman then performed a juggling act at the ropes to complete the catch.
After helping Rohit score sixty runs off of 38 balls for the third wicket with a 20-ball 31 that included five fours, Tilak Varma returned to break their partnership.
But the two Mumbai players, Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande, turned the tide of the match in favour of CSK with two tight overs that severely damaged MI’s chase.
Tim David hit a few sixes but was unable to capitalize, and Pandya fell for just two balls despite using six balls. Despite his best efforts, Rohit was unable to win the game and was stranded on the opposite end for all of this.
Before. Chennai Super Kings stormed to a commanding 206 for four thanks to a blazing 20 from Dhoni and robust fifties from Shivam Dube and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Before Dhoni enthralled a full Wankhede with classic shot-making, Dube (66 not out, 10×4, 2×6) and Gaikwad (69), who milked 90 runs off a just 45 balls for the third wicket, provided Chennai innings impetus in the early and middle parts of the play.
In order to help his team score 26 runs in the last over, the former CSK captain hit three straight sixes against MI skipper Pandya (2/43).
With balls going over long-off, wide long-on, and deep square leg with to Dhoni’s incredible stroke, Chennai overcame a 200-run deficit, which did not seem impossible until the very last over.
Despite his inability to score more than 69, which was achieved off 40 balls with five sixes and an equal number of boundaries, Gaikwad looked in excellent form.
The MI bowlers challenged him by angling their deliveries into his body, but Gaikwad adapted to locate his runs without taking any unnecessary risks. The CSK captain struck through the line with ease to clear ropes.
