Mumbai Indians (MI) claimed undisputed supremacy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by securing their fourth title with a narrow one-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a thrilling final at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.
This was the fourth time the Rohit Sharma-led side defeated MS Dhoni & Co. this season. With 18 runs required from the last two overs, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga did well to defend the 150 run target. CSK opener Shane Watson was in great form at the stage but the Mumbai seamers contained the flow of runs. MI also continued their streak of winning in alternate years (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
However, CSK took the command in the early stages of the IPL 2019 final. After Rohit won the toss and opted to bat first, seam bowler Shardul Thakur gave the defending champions a good start by dismissing in-form MI opener Quinton de Kock for 29.
De Kock was looking in supreme touch as he dispatched Deepak Chahar for three sixes in the third over. But, before he could inflict further damage, Thakur sent him back.
De Kock failed to see off a short delivery from Thakur and ended up top-edging it to CSK skipper MS Dhoni. And as soon as the wicket-keeper took the catch, Thakur gave him an animated send-off. In fact, the gesture from Thakur left Rohit Sharma shell shocked and he was seen objecting to it.
Here’s the video:
— CricBoll (@mycricboll) May 13, 2019