Skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav combined forces in devastating fashion to guide Mumbai Indians to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in a one-sided Indian Premier League clash here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 177, Mumbai Indians strolled to 177 for one in just 15.5 overs. Rohit remained unbeaten on 76 off 45 deliveries, while Suryakumar dazzled with a 30-ball 68 not out, the pair adding 114 runs off only 54 balls for the second wicket.
Rohit, Mumbai’s impact substitute, was in full flow from the outset, capitalising on anything short from CSK’s pacers in the powerplay before taking on the spinners with sweeping authority. His maiden fifty of the season came off 33 balls.
Suryakumar matched Rohit stroke for stroke, bringing up his second fifty of the season off 26 balls. “SKY” was immaculate with his leg-side clearances and inventive sweeps, finishing the contest with two consecutive sixes.
Earlier, CSK posted 176 for five, with Shivam Dube (50 off 32 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (53 not out off 35 balls) steadying the innings after a bright start from 17-year-old debutant Ayush Mhatre, who impressed with a 15-ball 32.
Mhatre hit the ground running, striking boundaries and maximums with ease in a 21-run over off Ashwani Kumar. Despite the early burst, CSK slumped to 92 for three by the 13th over.
But Dube and Jadeja launched a strong counterattack, particularly in the 16th over, hammering Ashwani Kumar for 24 runs with three sixes and a four. Their 79-run fourth-wicket stand lifted CSK to a competitive total, though it ultimately proved inadequate.
MI’s bowlers, while expensive at the death, had largely kept CSK in check during the middle overs. However, the hosts’ real statement came with the bat, storming to victory with more than four overs to spare and climbing to sixth on the points table.
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