5 Talking Points of the MI v CSK Qualifier 1: IPL 2015

5 Talking Points of the MI v CSK Qualifier 1: IPL 2015: Mumbai Indians prevailed over a beleaguered Chennai side in the qualifier and entered the finals of the Pepsi IPL 2015. Winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Mumbai Indians batters did a fabulous job for their team and scored 187 runs. Some non-chalant bowling by CSK and some exceptional hitting in the end overs propelled the Mumbai side to a par score. Chasing 188 on a crunch game is never easy and the CSK batsmen fell prey to the pressure as none of their batsmen converted their starts into something big. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals and the CSK innings fell apart with their batters meekly surrendering. In the end, they fell short by 25 runs and the MI racked up an all-important win. Let’s take a look at the 5 talking points of the match: 1. Opening Partnership between Parthiv -Simmons: (Photo Source: BCCI) Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons provided their side the best possible start as they put on 90 runs together for the 1st wicket. The confident duo is firing in all cylinders as they had also piled a hundred runs partnership in their last game. They started off slowly, but gradually accelerated and stacked as many as 85 runs in 10 overs. This crucial partnership enabled the middle order batsmen to capitalize on and aided them to post a healthy total on the board. 2. Pollard’s Fiery Cameo: Kieron Pollard MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) The big muscle man from West Indies, Kieron Pollard played one of his best knocks this season with a speedy 41 in a matter of just 17 deliveries. Pollard hit a six of the very second ball he faced, and there was no stopping him after that as he kept continuing his aggressive hitting with sixes and fours were deposited all over the park. He hit 5 blistering sixes and is the tournament’s second highest six hitter next to Chris Gayle of RCB. 3. Bravo’s Record: Dwayne Bravo has becomes the first player in IPL history to have 1000+ IPL runs and 100+ IPL wickets by his name followed by 50+ catches. (Photo Source: BCCI) CSK’s Dwayne Bravo took 3 important wickets in his 4 over spell. As he now continues to wear the Purple cap with 23 wickets. Bravo also became the only player in the history the Indian T20 league to pick up 100 wickets as well as score a thousand runs and grab over 50 catches. 4. Harbhajan-the game changer: (Photo Source: BCCI) The Chennai Super Kings at one stage looked set to chase the target down with Faf du Plessis and Suresh Raina batting sensibly. They threatened to take the game away from MI but they were prayed by some inspired bowling from the Turbanator Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan Singh once again showed incredible virtuosity and dexterity with his off-spin bowling and got Raina and Dhoni out on consecutive balls. Not often do you see MSD getting out for a golden duck, but Bhajji proved too good tonight. 5. Faf du Plessis fighting a lone battle: (Photo Source: BCCI) Faf du Plessis was the only CSK batsman who looked in sublime touch and played with relative ease when compared to the other CSK batsmen. He played superbly well for his 45 off 33 balls with 5 fours and a six. Unfortunately for him, there was no one to support him at the other end and eventually he got out as well valiantly fighting a lone battle. And with him died all the hopes of the CSK team and fans of becoming the 1st team to qualify for the Finals.