11pm Top new-ball spell from Chahar. CSK pick up their first points this season. Many thanks for your company and comments. Until next time, this is Deivarayan Muthu signing off for Chandan Duorah.
Chahar, Player of the Match: I think the first wicket [of Agarwal] pleased me. Dream ball: pitches on middle and hitting off. It was a delight for the coach. I think it's a ball you dream about - the outswinger hitting the top of off. The first over catch went to Ruturaj, only Jaddu could've taken it. He has taken so many catches off my bowling - I just want 11 Jaddus in the field [laughs]. I think I got the responsibility to bowl the first over and set the tone. It's a big responsibility for me in the last four years and Mahi bhai has shown faith in me. As a bowler, this is my plan always. You may not take wickets in T20s, so my plan is to bowl dots in powerplays.
Dhoni: Makes me feel very old and it has been a very long journey [on playing 200 matches for CSK]. It started in 2008 - played in SA, Dubai, and back home. Never thought Mumbai would be our home. In 2011, the last time that we were happy with the Chennai wicket. Before that, there was spin, but it also helped fast bowlers. After the wicket was relaid, we found it difficult to adjust to conditions. This is a very good wicket, but it depends on the conditions on that day. The ball moved today, but it didn't swing around a lot. There was no dew and enough seam movement. Overall the years, he [Chahar] has matured into a death bowler too but he's somebody who gets more purchase than other bowlers. If you're looking to attack, why not finish his first four overs. Bravo can bowl at the death. It's not a secret. We felt if Moeen bats up the order, we can make use of the resources that we got. Moeen is a very good timer of the ball and plays authentic shots. We have to make the most of the resources. I thought that [lbw call] was high and that's what the bowler needs to take. That's where the bowler's input is very important. I always thought DRS is one to take howlers away from the game. You take the gamble when it's really important or the last over of the game.
10.40pm There was a bit of a late wobble, but CSK eventually secure their first win in IPL 2021. This means RCB are the only unbeaten side this season. It was Chahar who set it up for CSK by running through a top-heavy Kings line-up. He took out four out of Kings' top five and limited them to 106 for 8. Moeen and du Plessis then settled the chase with substantial contributions.
Rahul: There's not much more to say. When any team loses five wickets in the first six or seven overs.... It [The pitch] did [play differently]. It was more sticky and tacky than what it looked like. Deepak with his knuckle ball got a couple of wickets. Myself getting run-out. It wasn't a 110-wicket, maybe 150-160. We have pace in our attack and we obviously want to use that. Playing in India can be tough and cruel. Meredith and Richardson did try to execute the plan [against RR] and it was good to see them come back. We will review the key points that we spoke before the game and like you mentioned yourself that's how cricket goes. You smile and see how you can do better if we get a similar situation when we play at the Wankhede again. It's important to learn from our mistakes, that's the kind of team that we want to be.
Moeen: Getting two points is the most important thing. It's a great win. My role is to just enjoy myself. MS just tells me to go out and time it and not hit it hard. I really enjoy batting in the top three. England is such a good side - it is what it is. If the chance comes in the future [to bat up the order], I'll take it. I just concentrate on the shape and timing at the nets. Not a big-hitter of the ball and I just try to time it. Our bowlers were amazing at the top. It was a great time to bowl and get the wicket [of Richardson]
Anand: "CSK went from the lowest NRR to the highest! Should help in the closing stages."
Vivek Gupta: "What an agony for PBKS fans!!! CSK have moved from 8th to 2nd position and PBKS from 2nd to 7th in just one match... "
RajatMaheshwari: "Probably the only one sided contest of this IPL except that DC Vs CSK match!"
Naveen: "A CSK batting innings which didn't go until the last over, as well as a fielding innings within 90 minutes. I don't think I've ever seen this before!"
Ashok Kumar: "Wonder why Dhoni isn't giving himself time in the middle. If he is the designated finisher, he should have been coming ahead of Curran. He is the one who needs match practice, he is the one who away from active cricket, not Curran."
RCBFan: "Today's result means RCB is the unchallenged number one after 2 games. And ABD and Kohli haven't even started playing their match-winning logic-defying knocks. What a great start to the season!"
kapil: "-0.7 to 0.6 ! That's a huge leap for CSK's NRR! They must maintain this to stop some tongues wagging."
JITHU: "If another wicket falls here, I am inviting CSK for my Club games. "
END OF OVER:15 | 5 Runs 2 Wkts | CSK: 102/4 (5 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 6.80, RRR: 1.00)
- Faf du Plessis35 (32b)
- Sam Curran1 (1b)
- Mohammed Shami4-0-21-2
- Riley Meredith3-0-16-0
Can Curran finish it off with Faf?
Tushar Jain: "Shami on hatrick!....Trust CSK to make a hash of even such a simple chase!!"
AT Rayudu c Pooran b Mohammed Shami 0 (3m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Rayudu joins Faf
SK Raina c †Rahul b Mohammed Shami 8 (14m 9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 88.88
Tushar Jain: "Brilliant over from Meredith. Keeps Punjab in the game a little longer. I guess it impacts the NRR in the end!"
END OF OVER:14 | 2 Runs | CSK: 97/2 (10 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 6.92, RRR: 1.66)
- Faf du Plessis33 (30b)
- Suresh Raina6 (7b)
- Riley Meredith3-0-16-0
- Murugan Ashwin3-0-32-1
Naveen: "Moen has found a franchise that will be patient with him. CSK keeps showing the value of finding the right players for role. Sam Curran and now Moeen. "
Naveed: "Wonder if England will flip the script and play Moeen ahead of No1 Malan at number three in the World Cup if he has a great season with the bat, plus his bowling of course..." --- Aren't you forgetting Joe Root?
Sai Nandoor: "It's fair play in the end...Moeen denied SRK the 50 and SRK returned the favor"
Sai Teja: "The only person that could have stopped the ball at 12.5 was the non-striker. xD"
DEBADYUTI SAHU: "@ Deiva, you have jinxed Moeen and deprived him from a well deserved half. " --- Ha! I have no such powers
END OF OVER:13 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | CSK: 95/2 (12 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 7.30, RRR: 1.71)
- Suresh Raina5 (3b)
- Faf du Plessis33 (28b)
- Murugan Ashwin3-0-32-1
- Jhye Richardson3-0-21-0
Raina at No.4. CSK need 17 off 45 balls
MM Ali c Shahrukh Khan b Ashwin 46 (36m 31b 7x4 1x6) SR: 148.38