IPL 2015 Final : MI V CSK

Sorry not writing for last 2 days. Yesterday’s match was again an one-sided match. The match was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Chennai Super Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first. Although they lost Parthiv Patel early in 1st over of the innings, Mumbai Indians innings had a bad start. Simmons scored a brisk 68 off 45 balls & crushed the Chennai bowling attack. This was the highest score in Mumbai Indians innings. This was Simmons’ 2nd highest score in IPL 2015 behind 71 runs against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali on May 3. Negi dropped Simmons at the middle stages of Mumbai Indians innings when Simmons was on 50 runs. It was a bit costly miss as Simmons went on to score 68 runs. Rohit Sharma scored a huge 50 off 26 balls & destroyed the Chennai bowlers. This was Rohit’s 2nd highest score at this ground in IPL 2015 behind 98 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8. Mumbai Indians innings was comfortably placed 120 for 1 in 11.5 overs. The 119 run-stand between Simmons & Rohit in 67 balls steadied the Mumbai Indians innings. This was the highest partnership in Mumbai Indians innings. This was 3rd highest partnership for any wicket in IPL final behind 159 runs between Vijay & Michael Hussey  for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai in 2011  & 129 runs between Saha & Bailey for Kings XI Punjab against Kolkata Knight Riders at Bangalore last year. They lost 2 wickets Rohit Sharma & Simmons in quick succession. Pollard scored a quickfire 36 off 18 balls & hammered the Chennai bowlers. Rayudu scored a brilliant 36 off 24 balls & attacked the Chennai bowlers. Smith dropped Rayudu at the final stages of Mumbai Indians innings when Rayudu was on 28 runs. It was not a costly miss as Rayudu could score only 36 runs. The 71 run-stand between Pollard & Rayudu in 40 balls paced the Mumbai Indians innings. They lost 2 wickets Pollard & Pandya again in quick succession. They started very quick in first 10 overs & also very quick in later overs. Chennai Super Kings bowlers sprayed all over the field throughout the innings. Mumbai Indians innings final total was 202 for 5 in 20 overs. This was 2nd highest total by a team in IPL final behimd 205 runs for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai in 2011.

Although they lost Mike Hussey early in 5th over of the innings, Chennai Super Kings innings had a solid start. Dwayne Smith scored a fine 57 off 48 balls & tried to squeeze the Mumbai bowlers. This was the highest score in Chennai Super Kings innings. Chennai Super Kings innings was comfortably placed at 88 for 1 in 11.4 overs. The 66 run-stand between Smith & Raina in 43 balls increased the run-rate. This was the highest partnership in Chennai Super Kings innings. They lost last 7 wickets for 49 runs in the span of 6.4 overs & changed the situation. They started not very quick in first 10 overs & picked up speed in later overs. McClenaghan took 3 wickets for 25 runs & Mumbai won comfortably. Chennai Super Kings innings final total was 161 for 8 in 20 overs. Vinay Kumar bowled the final ball. Mumbai won the match by 41 runs.

With this win Mumbai Indians won the 2nd IPL crown. This was 3rd team to win the IPL twice after Chennai Super Kings & Kolkata Knight Riders.

At another place Zimbabwe innings total was 175 for 3 in 20 overs. Williams went on to score 58 runs. Pakistan innings final total was 176 for 8 in 19.4 overs. Mukhtar Ahmed scored his 2nd consecutive 50. Pakistan won the match by 2 wickets. Pakistan won the series with 2-0 margin.

I will back with update of 1st test between England and New Zealand.

Bye till tomorrow.

IPL 2015: MI V CSK

Yesterday’s match was a high-scoring match. The match was played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bat first. Mumbai Indians innings had a very bad start & very slow start. They lost 3 early wickets for 12 runs in the span of 3.4 overs. With the departure of top three batsmen Mumbai Indians innings was reduced to 12 for 3 in 3.4 overs. Dhoni dropped Harbhajan Singh at the middle stages of Mumbai Indians innings when Harbhajan Singh was on 19 runs. It was not a costly miss as Harbhajan Singh could score only 24 runs. The 45 run-stand between Rohit Sharma & Harbhajan Singh in 35 balls tried to steady the Mumbai Indians innings. They lost Harbhajan Singh in 10th over of the innings. Rohit Sharma scored a brisk 50 off 31 balls & tried to crush the Chennai bowling attack. Mumbai Indians innings was comfortably placed 132 for 4 in 14.5 overs. The 75 run-stand between Rohit Sharma & Pollard in 33 balls increased the run-rate. This was the highest partnership in Mumbai Indians innings. This was the 2nd highest 4th wicket partnership by a team in IPL 2015 till yesterday behind 131 runs between Rohit Sharma and Corey Anderson also for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8. They also lost Rohit Sharma in 15th over of the innings. Pollard scored a huge 64 off 30 balls & battered the Chennai bowlers. This was the highest score in Mumbai innings. This was Pollard’s joint highest score at this ground as similar to 64 runs against Rajasthan Royals in 2012. The 49 run-stand between Pollard & Rayudu in 28 balls was crucial. This was the 3rd consecutive 40+ run partnership by a team  & happened 3rd time in IPL history. They also lost last 2 wickets Pollard & Rayudu in quick succession. They started slow in first 10 overs & picked up speed in later overs. Chennai Super Kings bowlers bowled very well in first 10 overs. Nehra bowled a lethal spell & took 3 crucial wickets in the innings. Mumbai Indians final total was 183 for 7 in 20 overs. This was Mumbai’s highest total against Chennai Super Kings at this ground beating 172 runs in 2014.

Chennai Super Kings innings had a very good start. Chennai Super Kings innings was comfortably placed 109 for 0 in 7.1 overs. The 109 run-stand between Dwayne Smith & Brendon McCullum in 44 balls increased the run-rate & it looked Chennai will win comfortably. This was the highest partnership in Chennai Super Kings innings. Brendon McCullum scored a quickfire 46 off 20 balls & attacked the Mumbai bowlers. Dwayne Smith scored a rapid 62 off 30 balls & hammered the Mumbai bowlers. This was the highest score in Chennai Super Kings innings. They lost last 4 wickets for 57 runs in the span of 7.4 overs. Harbhajan Singh dropped Raina at the last stages of Chennai Super Kings innings when Raina was on 43 runs. It was not a costly miss as Raina remained on 43 runs. Raina scored a fine 43 off 29 balls & tried to squeeze the Mumbai bowlers. Mumbai Indians bowlers sprayed all over the field throughout the innings. Chennai Super Kings innings final total was 189 for 4 in 16.4 overs. Dwayne Bravo hit the winning six & Chennai won comfortably. Chennai Super Kings won the match by 6 wickets. This was Chennai’s consecutive wins in first 3 matches of IPL 2015. This was Mumbai’s 4th consecutive loss for 2nd time in succession in IPL 7 & 8. Can Mumbai repeat to overcome the playoffs hurdle as they did it in 2014?

Now, Chennai Super Kings will face Rajasthan Royals at Sardar Patel Stadium on 19th April. Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium also on 19th April.

I will back with update of today’s first match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils.

Bye till later today.