Jason Behrendorff starred on debut while Hardik Pandya shone with bat and ball as Mumbai Indians became the first team in IPL history to win 100 matches. MI snapped Chennai Super Kings’ winning streak this season with an emphatic 37-run win at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Behrendorff removed Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina to rock CSK early in their chase of 171 while Lasith Malinga dismissed Shane Watson. Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni added 54 runs for the fourth wicket but the asking rate kept climbing steadily – it was going to be a massive ask against the likes of Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah towards the end of the innings.
Hardik Pandya had bowled brilliantly in his first spell, giving away only 6 runs off 2 overs. He struck with the first ball of his new spell to remove MS Dhoni and only a special effort from Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja could have taken CSK from 87 for 4 in 14.1 overs.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings pegged Mumbai Indians back early after MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bowl. Deepak Chahar accounted for Quinton de Kock, Ravindra Jadeja snared Rohit Sharma while Imran Tahir dismissed Yuvraj Singh inside the first nine overs.
Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya however steadied the ship for Mumbai Indians with a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The two took their time but with a handful of overs left in the innings, Krunal decided to take the attack to the opposition. He fell for 42 in search of quick runs but Yadav went to hit a well-deserved 50.
A few lusty blows from Hardik Pandya (25 not out off 8 balls) and Kieron Pollard (17 not out off 7 balls) helped MI reach a total their bowlers would have been happy with.
Mumbai Indians had lost their opening match to Delhi Capitals but bounced back with a thrilling win over Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rohit Sharma was critical of his batsmen after the defeat to Kings XI Punjab in Mohali – on Wednesday, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard ensured their captain could not complain again.
