IPL 2018: Match 1, MI vs CSK, Review - Sensational Dwayne Bravo wins CSK the thriller by 1 wicket

What a start to begin the new decade of the Indian Premier League (IPL)! Dwayne Bravo literally won the game for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from an absolutely hopeless position with a brilliant knock of 68 off 30 deliveries. He whacked Jasprit Bumrah for three sixes in the penultimate over which eventually won them the match. However, it was the innovative shot from Kedar Jadhav which did the job for CSk as they sensationally defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by just 1 wickets in a thrilling encounter.

MS Dhoni rode his luck right away after returning at the helm and won the toss only to put the home side in to bat first on a fresh pitch which had some grass covering on it. Both the teams made surprising selections as MI handed a debut to the leggie Mayank Markande and CSK benched Murali Vijay and Shardul Thakur and included Ambati Rayudu along with the fast bowler Deepak Chahar.

CSK start off with a bang

The visitors got off to a great start as Chahar pinned Evin Lewis in front for a second-ball duck only to bring the young Ishan Kishan to the middle. The skipper Rohit Sharma who opened the innings also struggled to get going and was sent back by Shane Watson on 15 to leave Mumbai reeling at 20/2. Suryakumar Yadav then joined hands with Kishan to resurrect the innings even as the former played calculated strokes to gain some momentum in the innings.

Krunal’s cameo propel MI

Both took the attack to the CSK bowlers and especially took the liking to Imran Tahir and Dwayne Bravo in their respective first over. They were taking the game quickly away from them by adding 78 runs for the third wicket as Watson came back to remove Suryakumar for a well-made 43. Soon Ishan Kishan was also dismissed by Tahir for 40 off just 29 deliveries as Pandya brothers came together. Krunal Pandya came out and fearlessly played his shots which paid off.

Hardik Pandya staved off after starting well but his brother played a brilliant cameo for his team. He smashed every bowler who came his way and scored 41 runs off 22 deliveries with 5 fours and a couple of massive shots over the fence. Mark Wood felt the heat of his batting as he conceded 49 runs off his 4 overs as Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 164 runs for the loss of 4 wickets after their 20 overs. Watson was the best bowler for them as he returned with the figures of 2/29 and Bravo too bowled well at the death and ended with 0/25.

Thrilling chase

Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu opened the innings for CSK as they aimed to gun down the target of 166 posted by their opponents. They started off cautiously by adding 27 runs for the first wicket only for the former to be holed out in the deep off Hardik Pandya who executed the knuckle ball very well. The same bowler sent back dangerous Suresh Raina for 4 by the end of the powerplay.

Debutant changed the game

However, the game changed on its head when the leggie Mayank Markande was introduced into the attack in the 7th over. He scalped Ambati Rayudu who was looking good and must have also had Kedar Jadhav in the same over only for the skipper Rohit to not review the decision. Though the youngster came back to pin Dhoni in front of the stumps as the wheels came off quickly for CSK.

Bravo – The Bravado

To double their troubles, Jadhav walked off as he tweaked his hamstring even as Markande sent back Deepak Chahar off the very first ball to end with the magical figures of 3/23 after his 4 overs. While Bravo tried his best, in the end, playing a few shots but his efforts went in vain as the wickets kept on falling at the other end. He played a breezy knock and smashed a half-century off just 25 deliveries for his team and brought the game ever so close.

However, the killing blow was the penultimate over when Jasprit Bumrah went for three sixes as he was taken to the cleaners by Bravo. Though he got out off the last delivery of the over to leave 7 for his team to win in the last over. Mustafizur Rahman was entrusted with the last over as Kedar came back to bat for his team despite getting injured. He played 3 dot balls but then a ramp shot over fine leg did the job for the Men in Yellow. The last ball was screamed through covers by him as the celebrations began in their camp.

CSK have got off to a perfect start in their comeback game and this will surely boost them up going ahead in the tournament. Mi, however, let the game slip through their hands hopelessly with some poor bowling and will have to come back strongly in their next game.

Here’s what Tahir tweeted

What a brilliant batting display from bravo and https://t.co/mewKwlFOeA the best seat from the other end to watch it all.very difficult to express the feelings.Thanks for believing in us dear fans #eduda vandiya poduda whistle

— Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) April 7, 2018

Brief Scores

Mumbai Indians 165/4 after 20 overs (S Yadav 43, K Pandya 41, I Kishan 40; S Watson 2/29)

Chennai Super Kings 169/9 after 19.5 overs (D Bravo 68; M Markande 3/23, H Pandya 3/24)

Result: Chennai Super Kings won by 1 wicket

Man of the Match: Dwayne Bravo