Defending champions Mumbai Indians’ horror start to the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League continued with yet another inept batting performance leading to a third straight loss in as many matches.
In the second of the sold-out double-header at Dubai International Stadium, Mumbai batted first after winning the toss and put together 141-7, which was never likely to challenge a strong Chennai Super Kings batting line-up, who won by seven wickets with an over to spare.
Brendon McCullum (71 in 53 balls) anchored the Chennai innings to perfection, finishing in the company of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (14 not out), who was playing his 100th IPL match.
After losing their opening fixture, Chennai have now won three back-to-back matches and are on top of the table alongside Kings XI Punjab, who have won all their three games to date.
With scores of 122-7 and 115-9 in their first two outings, a much improved performance was needed from the Mumbai batsmen but, barring captain Rohit Sharma and to some extent Corey Anderson, none of them fired.
Kieron Pollard (12 in 11 balls), architect of many improbable wins for Mumbai Indians, was the main culprit as they struggled to their eventual total.
The big West Indian initially tried to play himself in for a couple of overs, but in the final quarter of their innings, Pollard only managed to stall his side's innings as he failed to up the tempo.
Not only did he waste balls, he also kept Sharma, looking in good nick, off strike.
Trying to up the run rate, Sharma departed for a well-made 50 (41b, 3×4, 2×6).
Michael Hussey, in the role of an opener, failed spectacularly and was bowled for one by Ben Hilfenhaus in the second over meaning he has now just tallied 20 runs in three matches.
Aditya Tare (23 in 19 balls) hit some delightful shots on the up but perished trying it once again.
At 25-2 in the fifth over, Sharma and Kiwi blaster Corey Anderson came together with the pair putting on 84 runs for the third wicket before Anderson (39, 31 balls, 3×4, 1×6) was run out by Ravi Ashwin’s direct hit from extra-cover.
Chennai’s right-arm pace bowler Mohit Sharma was the most successful bowler, picking up 4-14, while Hilfenhaus took 2-39.
Praghyan Ojha opened the bowling for Mumbai and bowled a maiden to Dwayne Smith. And when the score read 2-0 after two overs, hope did flicker for Mumbai.
But Smith nipped it in the bud in Ojha’s nect over with two mighty sixes, and added two more in his 22-ball knock of 29.
Two quick wickets – Smith, followed by Suresh Raina, who was stumped for one off Harbhajan – could not prevent the inevitable as Faf du Plessis joined McCullum and the duo eased their side to victory.
After du Plessis fell in the same manner as Raina for a patient 20 from 25, CSK's indomitable captain MS Dhoni came to the crease to seal his side's victory alongside McCullum.
The Indian skipper blasted 14 from 11 balls including one four and a six in his brief visit to the crease.
