IPL 2019: Twitter reacts as Hardik Pandya’s remarkable all-round show powers MI to a stunning win over CSK

MI put on 170/5 on the board and restricted CSK to 133/8 in 20 overs.

Hardik Pandya claimed three wickets including the prize scalp of MS Dhoni | IANS

Mumbai Indians hosted table topper Chennai Super Kings in the 15th match of IPL 2019 at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (April 3).

After winning the toss, CSK skipper MS Dhoni opted to bowl first and his bowlers proved the decision right by reducing MI to 50/3 in 8.3 overs. However, Suryakumar Yadav held the one end for the home team and shared a 62-run stand with Krunal Pandya to steady the sheep. Later, the cameos from Hardik Pandya (25 not out off 8 balls) and Kieron Pollard (17 not out off 7 balls) propelled Mumbai to 170/5 in 20 overs. For Chennai, Deepak Chahar, Mohit Sharma, Imran Tahir, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne claimed one wicket each.

Chasing the target, CSK got off to a terrible start as MI pacers Jason Behrendorff and Lasith Malinga wreaked havoc on their top-order. While Maling dismissed Shane Watson (5), Behrendorff removed Ambati Rayudu (0) and Suresh Raina (16) to reduce the visiting team to 33/3 in 5 overs.

Afterwards, Kedar Jadhav and Dhoni decided to build the innings and added 54 runs off 55 balls. Just when Dhoni (12 off 21 balls) was looking to up the ante after a slow start, he fell to a short delivery off Hardik in the 15th over. Two deliveries later, Jadeja (1) became the second victim of Pandya.

Needing 82 runs off 32 balls, Dwayne Bravo joined Jadhav at the crease. The duo found it difficult the combat the death-over thunderbolts of Malinga and Bumrah. Both Jadhav (58 off 54 balls) and Bravo (8) eventually perished in the 18th over off Malinga, who finished with the bowling figures of 4-0-34-3.

Bumrah conceded just 7 runs in the penultimate over whereas Hardik (4-0-20-3) removed Chahar in the 20th over to restrict CSK to 133/8 in 20 overs.

Cricket experts on Twitter were mighty impressed with MI’s dominating 37-run victory over the defending champions.

Check out some of the reactions:

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 03 Apr, 2019

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