The enormously talented Suryakumar Yadav played one of his finest knocks on a challenging Chepauk track as Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets in Qualifier 1, entering IPL final for the fifth time on Tuesday.
On a sluggish pitch, which offered considerable turn and odd bounce, Suryakumar batted in a copybook fashion scoring an unbeaten 71 off 54 balls with MI reaching the set target in 18.3 overs.
However, CSK will get another chance to make it to their eighth summit clash as they will now play the second Qualifier against the winner of the ‘Eliminator’ between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Earlier, skipper MS Dhoni failed to launch a brutal assault on a sluggish pitch but did enough in company of Ambati Rayudu to propel the Super Kings to 131 for 4, which was more than a fighting total in testing conditions.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
One. Step. Closer 🏆 @surya_14kumar brought the heat out there tonight 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Fg3imjp3ba
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) May 7, 2019
Always behind the Mumbai boys. The celebrations have begun at home. 💙@mipaltan #MI #OneFamily #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/WQxXhSkYka
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) May 7, 2019
The team that didn’t have too many eggs in one basket won. Well done MI! 👏👏👏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 7, 2019
Fantastic @mipaltan ! I think this has been their best performance in #IPL2019 A tough wicket, tough opponents, playing away from home. Have quietly watched and admired #SuryakumarYadav – talented, fluid with a good head on his shoulders. But all in all, a great team effort.
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) May 7, 2019
.@surya_14kumar taking the responsibility nicely and driving the @mipaltan victory vehicle!#MIvCSK
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) May 7, 2019
#CSK had their chances despite messing up in the batting. Let down by the catching too. Have another shot to make the final. Experience works in their favour, but the ageing players need to be revitalised and show more zest!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 7, 2019
Suryakumar Yadav has played an excellent knock. Top drawer. Moving at 137 on a pitch where going a little over run-a-ball has been tough for everyone. 👏👏 #MIvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 7, 2019
Better team won today… #CSKvsMI
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 7, 2019
To @mipaltan loyal supporters and family, well done on getting to the final. Suryakumar Yadav 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. To beat @ChennaiIPL three times this season, and twice in Chennai is a sign of an excellent team…. will there be fourth meeting this season???????
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 7, 2019
The Surya that shone with 🔵 in Chennai! How @mipaltan made an early entry into the #VIVOIPL 2019 final 🙌#MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/U2GmM4B32v
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2019
Kya shaandhar batting ki hai difficult conditions me Charlie u beauty champ @surya_14kumar 👏👏👏👏😊✌️ congratulations @mipaltan to reached the finals @IPL @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/qhMQ0QOyg8
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) May 7, 2019
Chennai was SKY blue tonight.
MI have beaten CSK twice at Chepauk in the same season. IPL's EL CLASSICO didn't live upto it's expectations once again. #IPL #IPL2019 #MIvCSK— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 7, 2019
.@mipaltan can book an early ✈ to Hyderabad as @ChennaiIPL await one of DC or SRH in Qualifier 2.#MIvCSK #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/0gfyvT4unR
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2019
Well played, Mumbai! Congratulations on the win! Hope to see you soon! 🦁💛 #WhistlePodu #Yellove #MIvCSK
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2019
It's always fun to play at the Chepauk 😋💪🏻#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/S8PYXEO5yj
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 27, 2019
Man of the Match – SURYAAAAAAAA 💙#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #MIvCSK
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 7, 2019
That's Rohit Sharma for you! pic.twitter.com/LNx1WHjwSa
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 7, 2019
MI under Rohit Sharma in IPL:
2013 – Qualified for Finals & Won
2015 – Qualified for Finals & Won
2017 – Qualified for Finals & Won
2019 – Qualified for Finals*— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 7, 2019
2010 — ❌
2013 — ✔️
2015 — ✔️
2017 — ✔️
2019 — ❓#IPL2019 #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/kVk0oI1vs3— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 7, 2019
Rohit Sharma vs #CSK at Chepauk (#IPL):
For Deccan:
Won by seven wkts, 2008
Won by 31 runs, 2010For #MI
Won by eight wkts, 2012
Won by nine runs, 2013
Won by six wkts, 2015
Won by 46 runs, 2019
Won by six wkts, 2019#MIvCSK— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 7, 2019
Superb batting under pressure by Suryakumar Yadav!https://t.co/r3JFrSHSZm#IPL2019 #CSKvMI #MIvCSK #Qualifier1 #Chepauk pic.twitter.com/JEeFhQ4MGT
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 7, 2019