Chennai Super Kings’ off-season bowling acquisitions delivered instant results, with their four new bowlers collectively taking nine wickets to restrict Mumbai Indians to 155 for 9. CSK comfortably chased down the target, though they faced a brief challenge from debutant left-arm wristspinner Vignesh Puthur, who is yet to play senior cricket for his state.
However, it was another left-arm wristspinner, younger than Puthur but far more experienced, who made the biggest impact. Noor Ahmad produced his best IPL figures and the best by a CSK spinner against MI, claiming 4 for 18. He built on the early breakthroughs from Khaleel Ahmed, whose CSK debut was equally impressive, as he dismissed both openers and finished with figures of 3 for 29 in four overs.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad set the tone for an effortless chase with a blistering 53 off 26, reducing the equation to a run a ball by the ninth over. However, wickets started falling to Puthur, whose slow wrist spin troubled the batters. Three players perished in the deep, but Rachin Ravindra steadied the innings with a composed 65 off 45, guiding CSK to victory.
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Khaleel Strikes Early to Jolt MI
Khaleel Ahmed remains an enigma in the IPL—below average in afternoon games but exceptional under lights. The key difference? A brief window for movement with the new ball in night matches, which transforms him into a potent force. That was evident as he kept Mumbai Indians’ openers from getting into rhythm, exploiting the little swing on offer. While Rohit Sharma’s dismissal—caught at forward square leg—and Ryan Rickleton’s inside-edged bowled dismissal seemed soft, they were a direct result of the pressure Khaleel built.
Adding to CSK’s advantage, returning hometown hero R Ashwin struck in his very first over. The seasoned off-spinner, back in CSK colors after more than a decade, didn’t rely on mystery but executed immaculate lengths, making every attacking shot a risk. He finished with figures of 4-0-31-1, dismissing Will Jacks inside the powerplay.
Noor Spins a Web Around Tilak and Suryakumar
At 36 for 3 in 4.4 overs, Mumbai Indians needed something special from their star duo—stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. Tilak responded aggressively, smashing two fours off R Ashwin and following it up with two sixes against Ravindra Jadeja, a bowler Suryakumar typically struggles against.
However, Noor Ahmad quickly tightened the screws with his deceptive spin. Even the experienced MS Dhoni was completely beaten when Noor turned one past Tilak’s outside edge. With that doubt planted, he reverted to his usual high-speed turners, outfoxing Suryakumar, who was beaten on the outside edge and stumped in a flash by Dhoni.
Debutant Robin Minz failed to get going and perished attempting a desperate shot, caught at long-off. Tilak, undone both in the air and off the pitch, was trapped lbw after being caught on the crease by a delivery that turned sharply back in. Noor returned at the death to bowl Naman Dhir around his legs, further denting MI’s hopes.
Nathan Ellis dismissed former CSK player Mitchell Santner, but another ex-CSK star, Deepak Chahar, provided MI with something to defend, playing a quickfire cameo of 28 off 15 balls.
Gaikwad, No. 3, Steers CSK to a Flying Start
In a surprising tactical move, CSK promoted Rahul Tripathi ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad, but the experiment was short-lived as Deepak Chahar struck in his first over, using a well-directed short ball to claim an early wicket.
Once Gaikwad arrived, however, he made batting look effortless. He took on Trent Boult and his former CSK teammates, Chahar and Mitchell Santner, with ease. S Raju, expected to be a reliable death bowler, struggled with the new ball, allowing CSK to race to 62 in the powerplay.
Even after the field spread, Gaikwad maintained his dominance, showcasing his sublime touch with a stunning inside-out six against the turn off Will Jacks—an indication that the pitch was excellent for batting.
Puthur Puts the Brakes on CSK
With just 82 needed from 13 overs, CSK seemed poised for a commanding win and a net run-rate boost. Perhaps in pursuit of that, they kept going after Vignesh Puthur’s slow left-arm wrist spin, only to repeatedly find the boundary fielders. His lack of pace, combined with the slightly sluggish pitch, made big hits difficult, leading to the dismissals of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda—a memorable debut haul for the youngster.
By this point, the home crowd seemed more eager for Mumbai Indians to take wickets than for CSK to finish the chase, hoping to see MS Dhoni at the crease. When Will Jacks bowled Sam Curran for a sluggish 4 off 9 balls, it triggered loud cheers—but the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja quickly dampened the excitement.
Ravindra Seals the Win for CSK
At its toughest, CSK needed 31 off the last four overs, but Mumbai Indians’ decision to bowl with pace played right into their hands. Ravindra Jadeja wasted no time, smashing Trent Boult for a four to ease the pressure.
Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra was the only batter to successfully take on Vignesh Puthur, launching three sixes by smartly using his feet to create momentum. A run-out in the 19th over finally gave the Chepauk crowd what they had been waiting for—a chance to see MS Dhoni at the crease. However, it was Ravindra who had the final say, sealing the victory with a six while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 0 off 2 balls.
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FAQs
How did Chennai Super Kings’ new bowlers perform against Mumbai Indians?
CSK’s new bowling acquisitions shone, taking nine wickets collectively to restrict MI to 155/9, with Noor Ahmad leading the attack with 4/18.
What was Khaleel Ahmed’s impact in the powerplay?
Khaleel struck early, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, using the slight movement under lights to put MI on the back foot.
How did Noor Ahmad dismantle MI’s middle order?
Noor’s deceptive spin troubled MI, dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Robin Minz, effectively derailing their recovery.
How did Vignesh Puthur trouble CSK’s chase?
The debutant’s slow wrist spin resulted in key wickets, including Gaikwad, Dube, and Hooda, as CSK batters struggled to clear the fence.
Who finished the chase for CSK?
Rachin Ravindra’s aggressive 65* and Ravindra Jadeja’s composed finishing saw CSK home, with MS Dhoni remaining unbeaten on 0 off 2.
