Mumbai, April 14: Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana came up with his best IPL figures, grabbing four wickets as Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 20 runs, despite a heroic unbeaten century by Rohit Sharma at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday.
Pathirana took the wickets of Ishan Kishan (23), Surya Kumar Yadav (0), Tilak Varma (31) and Romario Shepherd (1) to return figures of 4 for 28 as MI lost the steam in the chase of an imposing 206/4, managing to score 186 for six.
Rohit batted from start to finish for his unbeaten 105 off 63 deliveries — his second IPL century — but he could not find a partner who could stay with him long enough and build a big partnership.
Earlier, CSK top-order batter Shivam Dube and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struck stroke-filled half-centuries as the five-time champions scored 206/4.
Dube slammed an unbeaten 66 off 38 deliveries, while Gaikwad smashed a 40-ball 69, including five maximums, as the duo put up a 90-run stand after CSK had lost openers Ajinkya Rahul (5) and Rachin Ravindra (21) cheaply.
Earlier, MS Dhoni’s ballistic 4-ball 20 garnished forceful fifties by Shivam Dube and Ruturaj Gaikwad as Chennai Super Kings powered to a strong 206 for four against Mumbai Indians in their IPL match here on Sunday.Dube (66 not out, 10×4, 2×6) and Gaikwad (69), who milked 90 runs off a mere 45 balls for the third wicket, gave Chennai innings steam in the initial and middle passages of the play before Dhoni mesmerized a packed Wankhede with vintage shot-making.The former CSK skipper hammered three consecutive sixes off MI skipper Hardik Pandya (2/43) to help his side collect 26 runs off the final over.Dhoni’s stunning knock – which had the balls sailing over long-off, wide long-on and deep square leg – also pushed Chennai past the 200-run mark, which did appear tough until that final over.On a placid wicket, CSK batters flourished between overs 11-15 to collect 79 runs to set course for a big total, with Gaikwad and Dube showing their rich form.
CSK made a sedate start through a new opening pair of Ajinkya Rahane (5) and Rachin Ravindra (21, 16b, 2×4, 1×6). However, the move did not work as Rahane was caught by Pandya at mid-on off pacer Gerald Coetzee.Gaikwad’s acceleration in the latter half of the powerplay helped CSK reach a par 48/1 as the CSK captain made his intentions clear.
Even though he could not push beyond 69, which came off 40 balls with five sixes and as many boundaries. (PTI)
