IPL 2021: Turning point of the CSK vs MI game

Chennai Super Kings got out of jail in the opening match of the second leg of Indian Premier League 2021 against Mumbai Indians to script a great comeback win. This also squares off the head-to-head count between the two sides after Mumbai Indians had won the first game between the two teams earlier this season. 

CSK captain MS Dhoni had won the toss and elected to bat first. However, this decision turned out to be disastrous for the CSK as they were rocked back quickly inside the powerplay. New Zealand pace duo of Trent Boult and Adam Milne jolted CSK taking two wickets each. CSK found itself at 24 for 4 after the powerplay. To make things worse, Ambati Rayudu got retired hurt when he was on zero, increasing the troubles for Chennai. 

However, Ravindra Jadeja along with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad stitched a solid partnership to help CSK recover. By the time Jadeja was dismissed for 26 runs, Chennai was on 105 for 5 with 20 balls to spare. DJ Bravo scored 23 runs from 8 balls while Ruturaj Gaikwad finished on a high with 88 runs to his name from 56 balls. 

Kieron Pollard’s wicket turned the match around and gave CSK the momentum

Some may point at Mumbai not putting enough pressure after the four wickets early as a major turning point. But, there was another point in the match that looking back, seems like a more impactful turning point. That moment came when Mumbai Indians were batting. Despite not getting off to a good start themselves, Mumbai was holding onto the game. 

After 13 overs, Mumbai was on 87 for 4 with stand-in skipper Kieron Pollard at the crease with Saurabh Tiwary who went on to score 50 runs from 40 balls. Mumbai needed 70 runs in seven overs with Pollard at the crease, which seemed quite possible. But this is when skipper MS Dhoni introduced Josh Hazlewood into the attack and immediately got the reward that his skipper wanted. 

With Pollard gone, Krunal Pandya too went back with a run-out. After this, the run-chase was always going to be too much for Mumbai and as it turned out, they fell short by 20 runs.