Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were eliminated from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 by Mumbai Indians (MI) who were already not in contention to reach the playoffs this season on Thursday. The game posed new challenges as the MS Dhoni-led franchise was bundled out for just 97 runs. It was Tilak Varma who stepped up for MI after the top-order incurred another failure.
From Dhoni making his calming presence felt to Varma taking up the onus on himself to finish the chase for Rohit’s men, there was plenty to talk about from the Indian Premier League ‘El Clasico’.
MS Dhoni, the fine wine: Just a couple of months away from turning 41, MS Dhoni continues to pull strings in the middle for Chennai Super Kings. The ‘Thala’ of the franchise proved his worth once again as he stood tall in the middle against a daunting MI bowling attack that had wreaked havoc with the ball.
All Dhoni lacked was a partner who could help him from the other end of the pitch, and the wicket-keeper batsman would’ve taken the franchise to a competitive total. Even while defending a target as low as 97, Dhoni used his bowlers brilliantly to pick 4 MI wickets for 33 runs. A few more runs on the board and MSD would’ve taken the team home.
Tilak Varma, the young bright star: Not much has gone Mumbai Indians’ way in the IPL 2022. Tilak Varma’s consistent performance in the middle-order is one of the few positives that the franchise has had this season. The young lad led the run-chase from the front after MI were 4 down for 33. He remained unbeaten on 34 off 32 to complete the run-chase.
If it wasn’t for him, MI would’ve had an even tougher time to win this contest.
Mukesh Choudhary, another pace-bowling gem: Chennai Super Kings’ fans were understandably worried when Deepak Chahar was ruled out of the entire IPL 2022 due to an injury. While it took time for CSK to find a bowler who can pick wickets in powerplays, Mukesh Choudhary has proven what he can do with the new ball.
Choudhary is already the highest wicket-taker in the powerplays this campaign with 11 scalps to his name. Even veterans of the game like Mohammed Shami, Kagiso Rabad and Umesh Yadav are trailing him.
