IPL 2015 Qualifier 1, CSK v MI, Highlights: Mumbai Beat Chennai by 25 Runs to Enter Their Third Final
Mumbai Indians entered the 2015 Indian Premier League final by beating Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs in the first Qualifier at the Wankhede Stadium. Chennai will now await the winner of the Eliminator to face them in the second Qualifier. Catch all the highlights of the game.
Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings in the first Qualifier of the 2015 Indian Premier League by 25 runs to enter the final. Chasing 188 to win, the Chennai middle-order crumbled in front of some inspired Mumbai bowling. It was only Faf du Plessis, who scored 45, showed some fight and stood his ground.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bat. They piled up a competitive 187/6 after a half century from Lendl Simmons and a quick-fire 41 from Kieron Pollard. This victory tales Mumbai straight into the finals at Kolkata while Chennai have to wait for the winners of the Rajasthan-Bangalore match in the second qualifier.
Catch all the LIVE Updates and LIVE Scores of the game here. (SCORECARD | STATS | FIXTURES | GALLERY)
(All times in IST)
2246: That's it! Mumbai Indians are in the finals! Who would have thought that? Mumbai beat Chennai by 25 runs and now will await their opposition at Kolkata. This is a dream turnaround for the Blue Army and Chennai will now get another bite of the cherry when they play in the second qualifier.
2244: OUT! Ashwin (23) falls to Malinga. CSK need 27 runs off 8 balls to win. The game is too far away and Mumbai is surely on their way to Kolkata!
2240: SIX! Ashwin creams that over long-off. What a beautiful shot! 31 runs needed from 12 balls now. Game on?
2237: OUT! Jadeja (19) gone. Throws the kitchen-sink at it. Good catch from Suchith in the point boundary - Jonty must be elated at that! Surely it's Mumbai's game now!
2235: SIX! Jadeja goes for the big one - launches McClenaghan into the boundary. Pollard almost pulled off a stunner but not quite!
2230: FOUR! Ashwin lofts Malinga over mid-off. All too late for Chennai now.
2325: OUT! Chennai crumbling. Negi goes. Surely, surely the chase is over and Mumbai are headed to Kolkata for the finals. CSK need 62 runs from 27 balls.
This amazing run from #MI looking now like it is taking them to Kolkata. And a home game in Ranchi for the #CSK captain. #PepsiIPL
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 19, 2015
2318: Surely Mumbai can't mess it up from here. Jadeja and Bravo still in there and RUN OUT! Excellent work from Parthiv Patel and Pollard. Throws the ball to Pollard who runs Bravo out!
2315: OUT! Du Plessis (45) misses his fifty. Mumbai are elated! Suchith entices him to go for the big shot, doesn't get a hold of it and only manages to find Vinay Kumar in the deep. CSK need 78 runs from 37 balls.
I'm the fielding coach. That's me - @jontyrhodes8 @mipaltan #IPL https://t.co/FBmtUczofh
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2015
2312: FOUR! Outside-edge, bad luck for the bowler, runs to the third-man boundary.
2311: SIX! Bravo gets into the act - lofts Suchith into the stands over long-off.
© BCCI
2301: DROPPED! That would have been a third in the over for Harbhajan. What a dolly missed - Mumbai fielding has been poor - this must be painful for Jonty Rhodes.
What a bowling by our own sardar ji missed the 3 rd wicket ...
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 19, 2015
2259: OUT! First ball duck for Dhoni. Harbhajan Singh on fire. Dhoni goes for the sweep first ball, gets into an awkward tangle and finds himself in front of the stumps! CSK 86/4 (10.3 overs)
2257: OUT! Massive blow that! Raina (25) pops back an easy caught and bowled to Harbhajan. Soft dismissal that - he would be gutted at that! CSK 86/3 (10.2 overs)
2254: Nice and easy from Du Plessis and Raina - hitting the gaps and pushing the singles couple with the occasional boundaries. This chase is very finely balanced, may be tilting a touch towards Chennai now. CSK 86/2 after 10 overs.
2248: FOUR! Dropped short by Harbhajan - Du Plessis rocks back and cuts through cover-point. McClenaghan with a full stretch dive but was never stopping that! CSK 79/2 after 9 overs.
2247: SIX! Take a look at that from Raina - jumps down the wicket and smashes Harbhajan into the crowd. Cracking shot! This man is looking in fine touch tonight.
2245: Just five runs off the Pollard over - that's a good over for the Mumbai Indians.
2240: The chase is well within Chennai's reach. With hitters like Raina in and Dhoni, Bravo and Jadeja to come, Chennai need a partnership to take the game into the back end. CSk 61/2 after 7 overs.
2235: SIX! Boom - Raina hoicks that one over mid-wicket! He's due for a big score. Will it be his night today?
© BCCI
2232: OUT! Hussey (16) gone. Slashes at the ball and is caught behind off Vinay Kumar. CSK 46/2 (5.1 overs)
2230: FOUR more! The drop's hurting Mumbai. Du Plessis shuffles to the off-side and flicks McClenaghan over short-fine leg. CSK 46/1 after 5 overs.
2227: FOUR! Outside-edge and the ball flies to the third-man fence. FOUR more! This time Du Plessis gets on top and dispatches McClenaghan over mid-wicket.
2223: DROPPED! Outside-edge from Faf du Plessis and Lasith Malinga at third-man makes a mess of it! That went through his hands - he won't like to see that on the big screen. CSK 33/1 after 4 overs.
2222: SIX! What a cracking shot from Mike Hussey! Vinay Kumar drops it short and Hussey was onto it in a flash!
2216: What a delivery! That one from Malinga took off and Hussey was beaten all ends up!
22:14: SIX! Beautiful timing from Du Plessis that. Connects the ball and it flies over the bowler's head.
22:12: FOUR! Short from McClenaghan and Hussey pulls him through square-leg. Chennai need Mr. Cricket stand up and deliver - missing McCullum already?
22:05: OUT! What a start! Malinga on fire - traps Smith right in-front of his stumps or was it? No, going down. That's a shocker! No wonder Smith is not happy. Unlucky for Chennai but Mumbai are elated. CSK 0/1 (0.4)
The Doctor is not happy #IPL https://t.co/4FUQ7Spoa5
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2015
© BCCI
21:45: Single off the last ball. Mumbai end with 187/6. This is a fabulous effort from the men in blue! Pollard's 17-ball 41 was the final act but the foundation was laid by Simmons' 65 up top. Can Chennai chase this down? They surely have the batting to do so but against Malinga and McClenaghan, won't be an easy one.
Must admit, I was very surprised at Dhoni's captaincy in the semi final. Why did Jadeja only bowl 2 overs plus many more weird decisions ?
- Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 19, 2015
21:44: OUT! Slower delivery and Pollard (41 off 17 balls) falls to Bravo. Trying to swing across the line, didn't get hold of it. In fact the hand came off the bat as well. Raina pouches an easy catch.
21:43: FOUR! Whipped past wide long-on. That was hit with immense power by Pollard. Du Plessis was flying but had no chance of stopping that!
2141: FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard - Harbhajan Singh goes for the full monty and slices Bravo over point. Finally, Rohit Sharma has a smile on his face!
2140: Two WIDES in a row - not a good start for Bravo in the last over. Dhoni clearly not happy, asking the umpires for an expalantion.
2138: SIX! Pollard gets hold of it! Ends the over with a massive hit.
Have played with a few big hitters, seen a few too. Pollard is clearly no 1 when it comes to sheer power. #IPL2015 #CSKvMI
- Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 19, 2015
2137: OUT! Rayudu (10) finds Raina at long-on off Mohit. Completely deceived by the slower, ends up skying it. Raina with a tremendous take at the boundary. MI 164/4 (18.4 overs).
2133: FOUR! Pollard picks the slower from Mohit and swings across the line, the fielder at mid-wicket had no chance. Mumbai need a few more here to go past 185-190.
2128: FOUR! Rayudu finds the boundary. Full toss, down the leg - easy pickings. Dhoni not happy with that delivery at all. MI 156/4 after 18 overs.
2126: SIX! Slower ball from Bravo and complete miss-hit from Pollard but had enough elevation to carry over the mid-wicket fence.
2122: Top-class bowling from Nehra - just two runs off that over. Chennai pulling it back beautifully. Nehra and Bravo are putting a strangle-hold on the batsmen. Mumbai need Pollard to provide them with some much needed momentum. MI 141/4 after 17 overs.
What a spell by Nehra ji just 2 runs in his last over . Wow old is gold...
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 19, 2015
2118: OUT! Pandya (1) skies a slower from Nehra and finds Jadeja. Wickets tumbling. MI 139/4 (16.1 overs)
#CSK pulling it back here. Need Pollard though. Looking ominous. But remember 180 is about par. #PepsiIPL
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 19, 2015
2116: OUT! Rohit (19) falls to Bravo. What a big wicket that is! Slogs a slower to Jadeja at mid-wicket. MI 137/3 (15.4 overs)
2113: Last five overs - Mumbai need a flourish from two of its biggest hitters. They will need a big score to put this Chennai batting under any pressure.
2109: SIX! Easy as it gets. Pollard leans forward and lofts Negi over his head. Ominous signs for Chennai this! MI 135/2 after 15 overs.
© BCCI
Enjoying the couch after a long flight & the IPL. Congrats to the @rajasthanroyals on making the playoffs, Mumbai will win this game today !
- Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 19, 2015
2108: SIX! Pollard pulls out the big one. Takes Negi on and deposits him into deep mid-wicket.
2104: OUT! Simmons (65) hits Jadeja straight to Negi at deep-cover. Ah! Didn't Chennai want that wicket! MI 113/2 (13.4 overs)
2059: FOUR! Turn from Negi - beats Rohit all ends up, takes his edge and runs to the third-man boundary. Harbhajan Singh would be watching that closely.
2055: SIX! Simmons picks the back-of-the-hand slower from Mohit and slaps him over the cover boundary.
2050: OUT! Bravo does the trick! Parthiv (35) misses the slower one and scoops it to Jadeja at long-on. MI 90/1 (10.4 overs)
2043: Eighth IPL Fifty for Lendl Simmons - what a tournament he is having! MI 86/0 after 10 overs. Chennai spinners have had no effect on this track. Dhoni needs to do something different and yes, he brings Bravo on, much earlier than expected.
© BCCI
2039: FOUR more! Inside-edge, through the keeper's legs. Ah! Negi isn't enjoying it one bit. MI 78/0 after 9 overs.
2037: SIX! Parthiv dances down the track and sends Negi sailing into the crowd and FOUR! Rocks back and cuts through cover-point. Mumbai are taking on the spinners. Dhoni with a hand around the shoulder of his bowler.
2035: SIX! Simmons goes after Jadeja now. Slog sweep flies over mid-wicket.
2030: Tidy over from Negi but this is solid start for Mumbai. The openers have laid a good foundation with a partnership of 50-runs. The big-hitters need to come to the party now.
Surprised by Dhoni's move to bowl three each of Ashwin & Nehra in the top 6...very unlike him. #CSKvMI #CSK #MI #IPL
- Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 19, 2015
2026: SIX! That is a fantastic shot from Simmons - takes Nehra on and whacks him down straight to the sight-screen. Mumbai's got a move on here. MI 48/0 after 6 overs.
2024: FOUR! Parthiv now gets into the act. Nehra errs in line and flicks him over short fine-leg.
2020: SIX! Simmons goes big! SIX more! Simmons taking Ashwin on here. Goes straight over the sight-screen first and then over mid-wicket.
© BCCI
2015: Tremendous response from Nehra - short ball almost took Simmons' head off! Another good over from Nehra. MI 22/0 after 4 overs.
2014: FOUR! The pressure was visible on Simmons. Clears his front leg and smashes Nehra straight down the ground. Parthiv was in the line, takes evasive action.
2013: Chennai already showing some great intensity. Ashwin and Nehra bowling tight lines and the fielders are throwing themselves everywhere. Another fantastic over from Ashwin. MI 15/0 after 3 overs.
2010: FOUR! Another streaky one - this time off the inside-edge of Simmons. Good over from Nehra, barring a couple of wides, spoiled by the streaky edge.
2005: Big appeal! Ashish Nehra runs in and that swung. Simmons wrapped on the pads but was going down for sure.
2003: FOUR! Streaky boundary - Ashwin finds Parthiv's edge and the ball races to third-man. Valiant effort from Mohit Sharma though. MI 5/0 after 1st over.
2000: Chennai in a huddle as the Mumbai openers, Parthiv and Simmons walk out. Dhoni is putting on the helmet and is up to the stumps, Ashwin with the new ball.
© BCCI
Good luck @mipaltan! The boys have showed amazing fight and spirit this tournament, time to continue it!!
- Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) May 19, 2015
1940: Here are the line-ups for tonight -
CSK XI: M Hussey, DR Smith, S Raina, F du Plessis, MS Dhoni, DJ Bravo, P Negi, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Nehra, M Sharma
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2015
Qualifier 1: #MI have won the toss & will be batting first. Squad unchanged. Paltan, jara awaaz houn de. pic.twitter.com/e7Mm6Uce6M
- Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 19, 2015
1930: Toss time - Rohit Sharma calls tails and calls it right. Mumbai have won the toss and will bat first. Not many changes in the sides. No McCullum for CSK so Dwayne Smith makes it back and Mohit Sharma makes it back instead of Ishwar Pandey. Mumbai playing the same XI.
1920: It may be a home game for Chennai but the ground will definitely be a sea of blue supporting the Mumbai Indians. Even the most die-hard Mumbai supporters would have thought that their team would reach the top four but here they are playing the men in canary yellow.
1915: The IPL moves into the business end. Wankhede Stadium is buzzing as Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians. Here's all the stat that you need to know about the game.
Here are all the vital stats from previous #MIvCSK encounters. Infographics by @SportsMechanics #ApunKaSuperstar #MI pic.twitter.com/e1t9HvcgPM
- Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 19, 2015
© BCCI
Mumbai Indians finished the 2015 IPL league phase at the second position. That didn't look possible after the first two weeks. Mumbai lost four games on the bounce to start their campaign. Then they won seven out of their last eight games to finish with a serious bang. (Mumbai Indians Promise 'Fearless' Cricket)
Mumbai are the king of turnarounds - they have not done it once but twice now. Even last season, they started with five losses and then somehow, sneaked into the top-four. (Qualifier 1: Chennai, Mumbai Fight for Final Spot)
This season, after the wobbly start, they got their bearings right. The batting looks settled and the bowling strong. Rohit Sharma has done well as a skipper but this team has the brand 'Ricky Ponting' stamped all over it.
If anything, the men in blue need to improve their fielding efforts. They have dropped a number of catches and in a big game against Chennai, chances would be few and far between. (CSK vs MI Qualifier 1: Top-Five Battles)
Chennai though, don't have such problems. They are perhaps the best fielding unit and under MS Dhoni, the most settled side. They haven't look their invincible self this season, yet ended up topping the charts.
Although, the absence of Brendon McCullum is going to sting them, his replacement Mike Hussey is more than capable of playing the crucial knock. Suresh Raina is due and so is Dhoni. With Ashish Nehra, Dwayne Bravo and Ravichandran Ashwin in top form, the Super Kings are well-placed to take on the in-form Mumbai.