Chennai Super Kings posted 131 runs after their skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first in the first qualifier at MA Chidambaram Stadium. However, the hosts did not get off to a start they would have liked after winning the toss advantage. The ball was turning square as Rohit Sharma decided to mix up his bowlers.
Faf du Plessis played away from the body and had to pay the price as the outside edge was taken at short third man by substitute Anmolpreet Singh on the bowling of Rahul Chahar. The start got bad to worse when in-form batsman Suresh Raina got a top edge against Jayant Yadav and the off-spinner took a simple return catch.
It was turning square.
Shane Watson got two fours against Jasprit Bumrah. However, when the veteran Australian batsman tried to take on Krunal Pandya in the next over, he could time the ball and Jayant Yadav took a good catch while running back from mid-on. Chennai could only add 32 runs in the powerplay overs and lost three big wickets.
Subsequently, a partnership was the need the hour for the defending champions. Murali Vijay and Ambati Rayudu showed a glimpse of hope before the former was stumped by Quinton de Kock. It was a well-flighted ball from Rahul Chahar to pick up his second and Vijay could not get to the pitch of the ball. The leg-spinner bowled a brilliant spell as he finished with 2-14 in his quota of four overs.
Dhoni and Rayudu got CSK to fighting score.
Consequently, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni walked into bat when his team was tottering at 65-4. The hosts were able to get a move on in the 14th over when MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu smashed one six each against Jayant Yadav.
Ambati Rayudu who hasn’t been in the best of forms in the ongoing season got runs in the big match as he scored 42. Dhoni scored two huge sixes against Lasith Malinga in the penultimate over. MS scored 37 runs from 29 balls.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Chennai Super Kings innings:
No ball #MIvCSK
— Lokendra Singh (@Lokendr00012) May 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/Original_Namo/status/1125787667969347584
#Thala da! 2x SIX! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #MIvCSK ??
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2019
Two in a row!! That's brutal hitting by MSD! #MIvCSK
— Anubhav Verma (@AnubhavVermaBJP) May 7, 2019
Rayudu almost pulled off a special shot.
Rayudu adding another dimensions
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 7, 2019
Not the most apt pitch for an #IPL2019 playoff match #CSKvMI #MIvCSK
— Vishal S S Mehra (@weshalltalkcric) May 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/pooja333444/status/1125785036077146112
Interesting to see @imro45 not using same bowler consecutively. #badribytes
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 7, 2019
Third day pitch?? #MIvCSK #IPLplayoffs
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 7, 2019
No bowler has bowled two consecutive overs. Rohit has ensured that no batsman gets to see the same bowler for too long. Good tactic on a tough pitch to bat. #MIvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 7, 2019
Proper home advantage for #CSK pitch, toss n very little dew it seems. Now the batters have to put some runs on the board #MIvCSK
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) May 7, 2019
Top spell, Rahul. CSK now have to go hell for leather vs Bumrah.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 7, 2019
Things are not very difficult anticipate…as expected and chatted on FB live n #ckb…csk gave the slow n spinning pitch…Rohit on Top but has to finish
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) May 7, 2019
Young Rahul Chahar has unfialingly delivered for #MI this season. Bowled superbly today
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 7, 2019
Eh? If the fielder is outside circle when a ball is bowled, isn't it a no ball? Why was it called a dead ball, I wonder.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) May 7, 2019
So Malinga to bowl only three. Not the wrong call but it depends on MS. He doesn't like to hit out Bumrah but may not have an option. and CSK need 140 here
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 7, 2019
Rayudu showing 3D Performance #MIvCSK
— Bhushan (@bhushanchopade_) May 7, 2019