HYDERABAD: Mumbai Indians clinched a record-fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) title after beating Chennai Super Kings by 1 run in a thrilling final at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.
The win meant that MI became the most successful side in the history of the IPL with four title triumphs and skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that he was expecting a close final.
Electing to bat first, the Mumbai Indians posted a target of 149-8 for Chennai Super Kings. It was able to restrict its opponent to 148-7.
First innings:
Chennai Super Kings dished out a disciplined bowling performance under pressure to restrict MI to 149 for eight in the IPL final. After opting to bat, Mumbai ended up with a below-par total despite Kieron Pollard’s unbeaten 25-ball 41. Deepak Chahar (3/26) was impressive once again and so was fellow pacer Shardul Thakur (2/37).
Second innings:
The former Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson almost chased down the 150-run target for CSK, single-handedly. But in the end, his 59-ball 80 runs innings fell short, Lasith Malinga unleashed his best in the final over. Jasprit Bumrah was impressive with the ball once again, as he gave just 14 runs and picked up two wickets in his four overs. In the penultimate over, he dismissed Dwayne Bravo but conceded nine runs due to poor misfielding.
In the final over, CSK needed 9 runs to win. Malinga kept his lines clean and continued to trouble CSK batsmen with yorkers. Watson’s run out dismissal tipped the balance in Mumbai’s favor and Thakur’s LBW run out on the final ball sealed Mumbai’s thrilling one-run win.
Scorecard: Mumbai Indians (Pollard 41*, de Kock 29; Chahar 3/26); Chennai Super Kings (Watson 80, Plessis 26; Bumrah 14/2)
(With inputs from Agencies)
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