Uncover the excitement of CSK’s victory over MI, driven by Noor Ahmad’s exceptional 4-wicket display. Get insights and highlights from this thrilling Indian Premier League match!
Introduction:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) showcased the brilliance of their off-season acquisitions as their four newly inducted bowlers combined to claim an astounding nine wickets, restricting Mumbai Indians (MI) to a modest 155 for 9. CSK then chased down the target with relative ease, albeit not without some resistance from debutant Vignesh Puthur, an untested left-arm wrist-spinner yet to make his senior state cricket debut.
The spotlight, however, belonged to another left-arm wrist-spinner—Noor Ahmad. Despite being younger than Puthur, Noor proved his experience with a sensational spell, registering his best-ever IPL figures and setting a new benchmark for a CSK spinner against MI with 4 for 18. His efforts were perfectly complemented by Khaleel Ahmed, whose CSK debut was nothing short of impressive, scalping three wickets while conceding only 29 runs in his four-over spell. See also: Ishan Kishan’s Explosive IPL Debut for SRH
Gaikwad and Ravindra Steady the Chase
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad played a breezy knock of 53 off just 26 balls, setting up a straightforward chase. By the ninth over, the equation was down to a run-a-ball, but Puthur’s slow wrist spin caused hiccups for the chasing side. Three CSK batters perished attempting big hits, but Rachin Ravindra held his ground, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls to guide CSK home.
Khaleel Ahmed: A Game Changer Under Lights
Khaleel Ahmed continues to exhibit contrasting performances based on match conditions. His record suggests he struggles in afternoon games but thrives in night fixtures. The presence of a slight movement under the floodlights makes him a potent threat, and he uses this to full advantage against MI.
His early strikes built immense pressure, with Rohit Sharma falling at forward square leg and Ryan Rickleton bowled off an inside edge. These dismissals, while appearing soft, were a direct result of the pressure he exerted with his accurate and incisive bowling.
Ashwin’s Homecoming and Noor Ahmad’s Magic
Returning to CSK after more than a decade, R Ashwin made an immediate impact, scalping a wicket in his very first over. There was no mystery to Ashwin’s bowling; rather, his immaculate length and precision made every attacking stroke a risky proposition for MI’s batters. His figures of 4-0-31-1 included the crucial wicket of Will Jacks inside the powerplay. See also: Ashutosh Sharma’s Late Fireworks Stun LSG
MI attempted a fightback with stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, their two best batters. While Tilak counterattacked with boundaries off Ashwin and Jadeja, Noor Ahmad’s arrival turned the tide firmly in CSK’s favor. His deceptive spin made him nearly unreadable, even for the legendary MS Dhoni, who was beaten comprehensively behind the stumps.
Noor Ahmed’s mastery was evident when he had Suryakumar stumped, caught Minz at long-off, and trapped Tilak Varma lbw. His final act was bowling Naman Dhir around his legs, capping off a dream spell that left MI reeling.
MI’s Late Resistance and CSK’s Tactical Moves
MI found some late resistance through Deepak Chahar, whose cameo of 28 off 15 provided them with a fighting total. However, CSK’s tactical decisions during their chase were intriguing. They promoted Rahul Tripathi ahead of Gaikwad, but the experiment was short-lived as Chahar struck with a well-directed short ball.
Gaikwad, unfazed, dismantled MI’s bowling attack, taking down Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and even his former teammate Chahar. MI’s designated death bowler, S Raju, had an indifferent start, allowing CSK to race to 62 for 1 in the powerplay. The field spread thereafter, but Gaikwad continued his domination, exemplified by an elegant inside-out six against Jacks.
Puthur’s Surprise Spell and the Chepauk Crowd’s Wish
With just 82 runs needed from 13 overs, CSK appeared set for a big win to boost their net run rate. However, their eagerness to finish quickly led to a collapse against Puthur’s slow left-arm wrist-spin. His ability to vary pace on a slightly sluggish pitch resulted in multiple catches on the boundary.
Despite this, Puthur’s spell did not deter Ravindra, who became the only batter to hit boundaries off him, smashing three sixes by expertly using his feet. A moment of comic relief followed when the home crowd cheered for MI wickets in anticipation of Dhoni’s arrival at the crease. Their wish was partially granted when Jacks bowled Sam Curran for 4 off 9, drawing a massive cheer, but the sight of Ravindra Jadeja walking in dampened their excitement.
Ravindra Seals It as Dhoni Watches On
The chase momentarily became tense with 31 runs required from the last four overs, but MI’s decision to revert to pace played into CSK’s hands. Jadeja capitalized immediately, striking a four off Boult. Ravindra then sealed the deal with a six, much to the delight of the Chepauk crowd. Dhoni, however, remained unbeaten on 0 off two balls, leaving fans longing for more of their beloved Thala.
Conclusion
Chennai Super Kings’ victory was a testament to their strategic team-building, disciplined bowling, and composed batting. Noor Ahmad’s wizardry, Khaleel Ahmed’s incisiveness, and Rachin Ravindra’s finishing prowess ensured a smooth win despite some mid-innings turbulence. With their bowling attack clicking instantly and their batting lineup showing depth, CSK looks poised for another dominant IPL season.