The first qualifier of the Indian Premier League 2019 ended in Mumbai Indians making it into their fifth IPL final after a clinical performance against defending champions CSK in their own home. The Chennai team just didn’t look like in their elements from the start and MI wonderfully captured the moment.
CSK batted first after winning the toss and just couldn’t get going, after Faf (6), Watson (10) and Raina (5) failed to get going against MI, who used their three spinners to deadly effect. Though Vijay (26), Rayudu (42*) and Dhoni (37*) tried their best to push the scores towards upwards of 150 runs. But CSK only managed 131/4 in 20 overs. For MI, Rahul Chahar picked 2/14, while Jayant Yadav and Krunal Pandya picked a wicket each.
Mumbai Indians, too lost their openers De Kock (8) and Rohit (4) early, but then Suryakumar Yadav (71* in 54 balls) and Ishan Kishan (28) managed to keep the CSK spinners at bay as MI reached the target in 18.3 overs at the loss of 4 wickets, with Imran Tahir picking 2/33.
With this win, MI reached the finals, becoming the first team to do so this season. Chennai now goes to Vizag and will face the winner of the Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad eliminator match on May 10.
Twitterati was amazed at the efficiency with which MI won the match and made it into the finals and applauded the team.
Here are some of the best tweets:
