Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have had several memorable encounters in the Indian Premier League. When the two teams met in IPL 2021 before it was suspended due to Covid-19 crisis, there were fireworks in Delhi as Kieron Pollard came up with a special knock to help Mumbai complete their highest successful chase.
There have been many such thrillers but it’s hard to top the IPL 2019 final when talking about close encounters between the two champion sides. On May 12, 2019, CSK and MI went against each other to prove their might at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
The stage was perfectly set up as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings were battling to become the first team in IPL history to win 2 titles. CSK were the then-defending champions and MS Dhoni’s side were looking to win back-to-back IPL titles for the 2nd time in the history of the league.
Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard made sure Mumbai Indians went ahead and won their 4th title, leaving Chennai Super Kings heartbroken. By the barest of margins, Rohit Sharma’s men sealed the final and lifted the trophy in Hyderabad.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and Mumbai Indians opted to bat. As expected, Mumbai got off to a fine start with Rohit (15) and Quinton de Kock (29) adding 45 runs for the opening wicket. However, Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar struck in quick succession to send back the two Mumbai openers.
Imran Tahir, who won he Purple Cap in 2019, struck major blows in the middle overs, removing Suryakumar Yadav (15) and Ishan Kishan (23) to peg back Mumbai. Krunal Pandya, who was promoted ahead of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pmnayda, failed to trouble the scorers much as he departed for 7.
Hardik Pandya chipped in with 16 but Mumbai lost wickets in a hurry in the end overs. However, Pollard held his ground and made sure Mumbai posted a par total of 149. The West Indies star hit 3 sixes and as many boundaries for his 25-ball 41 not out.
Shane Watson 80 not enough for CSK
In reply, Faf du Plessis took charge and attacked the Mumbai Indians bowlers in the powerplay while Shane Watson, who had been in middling form, struggled to get going.
However, Krunal Pandya struck to remove Faf du Plessis in the 4th over for a 13-ball 26. It was a crucial blow as du Plessis was looking to run away with the game.
CSK then crumbled! Suresh Raina (8) and Ambati Rayudu (1) fell in quick succesion.
MS Dhoni was run-out for 2 after he tried to steal an extra run of an overthrow.
CSK were reeling at 82 for 4 in the 13th over before Dwayne Bravo and Watson added 51 runs in quick time for the 6th wicket.
Watson, who was struggling to get going, tore into Mumbai Indians bowling attack in the end overs, making sure the asking rate wasn’t an issue for CSK.
The Malinga masterstroke from Rohit
Watson was batting in the 70s and CSK needed just 9 runs from the last over.
Rohit had a problem as his strike bowler Lasith Malinga had conceded 41 runs in 3 overs after being taken apart by Watson. However, the MI captain trusted his senior bowler and gave him the final over.
Malinga delivered! After Shane Watson was run out in the 4th ball of the over on 80, it all came down to the last ball.
Shardul Thakur was the batsman. Malinga ran in with CSK needing 2 for win. Malinga came up with a yorker that hit the shoe of Thakur. He appealed and the finger was raised. CSK lost the final by a run.
