Chennai: All-rounder Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the first qualifier to become the first finalist of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. The match between Mumbai and Chennai was played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, here on Sunday.
Chasing a mediocre total of 132 runs, Mumbai start was not early as they lost both their openers -- Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma, within four overs.
Deepak Chahar removed Mumbai skipper for fours runs, while Harbhajan Singh got the better of Quinton de Kock.
Ishan Kishan was joined by Suryakumar Yadav in four overs when MI was reeling at 21/2. The duo held their nerve as they faced spin heavy Chennai bowlers and put up a match-winning partnership of 80 runs for the third wicket.
Imran Tahir brought Chennai back into the game by removing both Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya in successive balls. However, Suryakumar Yadav continued his assault from the other end and guided Mumbai to the finals of the cash-rich league.
Suryakumar scored 71 runs off 54 balls and Kishan played a valuable knock of 28 runs. Suryakumar's innings was laced with 10 fours. Hardik Pandya scored 13 runs off 11 balls.
For Chennai, Imran Thair bagged two wickets and Deepak Chahar and Harbhajan picked one each.
Earlier, a late flourish from Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and a valuable contribution from middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu helped CSK post 170/5 against Mumbai Indians even as Rahul Chahar (2/14) starred for the visitors.Dhoni and Rayudu were involved in a crucial 66-run for the fifth wicket partnership, building the platform for a fighting total as their upper-order failed to contribute.Batting first, Chennai's start was disastrous start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay. After three early dismissals in the form of Faf Du Plessis, Suresh Raina, and Shane Watson. Murali Vijay, who was included in just one match for CSk during the league games, put up a 33-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ambati Rayudu.However, when Vijay and Rayudu started doing the damage control for Chennai, Rahul Chahar brought Mumbai back into the game by removing Murali from the attack.Though Murali Vijay scored 26 runs off 26 balls, but India's Test opener established Chennai's innings after the hosts had a batting collapse. Batting at number 6, Dhoni joined Rayudu at the crease when Chennai was reeling at 65/4 in 12.1 overs. Dhoni and Rayudu joined forces together and brought the hosts back into the game by putting up a 66-runs stand for the fifth wicket.Dhoni scored 37 runs off 29 balls, while Rayudu contributed with 42 runs off 37 balls. During his 37 runs knock, Dhoni smashed three sixes and Rayudu struck four boundaries (three fours and one six).For Mumbai, Rahul Chahar picked two wickets giving away just 14 runs. Jayant Yadav and Krunal Pandya picked one wicket each.
Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 132/4 in 18.2 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 71, Ishan Kishan 28; Imran Tahir 2/33) beat Chennai Super Kings: 131/4 in 20 overs (Ambati Rayudu 42, MS Dhoni 33; Rahul Chahar 2/14) by six wickets.
