IPL 2023, MI v CSK: Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra jadeja fire CSK to their 1st win over MI at Wankhede in 5 years
MS Dhoni returned to one of his favourite hunting grounds, the Wankhede Stadium, leading Chennai Super Kings to a dominant win over.
Their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in an IPL 2023 match on Saturday, April 8. CSK rode on a terrific batting show from debutant Ajinkya Rahane and a spin-bowling masterclass from Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner to register a 7-wicket win as they chased down a 158-run target in just 18.1 overs.
After Ajinkya Rahane’s 2nd fastest fifty for CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad made sure he carried on with his form, hitting an unbeaten 40 off 36 balls as CSK strolled past the finish line.
Chennai Super Kings moved into the top 4 in the IPL 2023 points table as they recovered from their season-opening loss to defending champions Gujarat Titans with two successive wins – against Lucknow Super Giants at home and Mumbai Indians away from home.
It was also Chennai Super Kings’ first win at the Wankhede Stadium against their arch-rivals after 5 years with their last win coming in April 2018. CSK played 2 matches against MI over the last 5 years and lost both of them before putting on a ruthless show on Saturday.
On a night when there were plenty of Dhoni fans at the Wankhede Stadium, the CSK captain marshaled his troops wonderfully well. Despite not having Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali due to injury and illness and losing strike bowler Deepak Chahar in the powerplay due to a hamstring injury, Dhoni was at his best as he made optimum use of his resources and helped CSK lay down an early marker in the IPL 2023 season with the decimation of MI.
It was Ajnkya Rahane turning back the clock and mesmerising cricket fans with his sillky touch as the senior campaigner, donning the CSK yellow for the first time in his decorated IPL career, hit 61, including 3 sixes and 7 boundaries, in just 27 balls.
RAHANE RULES AT WANKHEDE
Chennai Super Kings got off to a shaky start in their chase of 158 as they lost in-form Devon Conway to left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff but Ajinkya Rahane tore into a Mumbai Indians bowling attack which was without Jofra Archer, who was rested as a precautionary measure.
Rahane hit young left-arm pacer Arshad Khan for 23 runs in an over as he helped shift the momentum in the powerplay. Rahane was at his best with his pull shots and brought out the trademark straight drive as he left the fans and former commentators in awe.
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Rahane was out, caught at long-on in the 8th over but he had done the damage, jolting the Mumbai Indians who did not have much to defend.
Shivam Dube came up with a handy cameo (28 off 26) while Ruturaj Gaikwad never got off the second gear during his knock of 40 not out with help from Ambati Rayudu who was unbeaten on 20 at the end.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Indians got off to a flying start with Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan showing a lot of intent. However, Tushar Desphande broke open the doors with the big wicket of Rohit in the powerplay.
Suryakumar Yadav failed with the bat yet again as he was caught behind by MS Dhoni, who took a brilliant DRS call after the on-field umpire gave it not out.
The star of the show with the ball for CSK was Ravindra Jadeja, who finished with 20 for 3, including the crucial wicket of in-form Tilak Varma.
Mitchell Santner chipped in with figures of 2 for 28 as Mumbai Indians failed the spin test on Saturday.
CSK will be hoping to make it 3 in 3 when they next face Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk on Wednesday, April 12.