New Delhi:
Mumbai Indians produced a brilliant performance in the first qualifier against Chennai Super Kings as they defeated the three-time IPL champions by six wickets to reach the IPL final for the fifth time. This was their fourth consecutive win against Chennai Super Kings and it was a combined effort with both bat and ball that gave Rohit Sharma’s side a crucial win. The bowlers conceded just 32 runs and took three wickets in the powerplay during the Chennai Super Kings innings and Suryakumar Yadav led from the front with a blazing 71 and it was this condition-based planning in both departments that gave Mumbai Indians success.
Speaking after the match, Jayant Yadav, who played in the match as the extra spinner has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma and his tactics. “Rohit has been brilliant, it is one of those occasions where he juggled his bowlers to the situation. I think in the power play, the batsman cannot get used to you because if he understands what you are trying to do in different deliveries, he can really size you up because of the field restrictions. As professional cricketers, and especially in an always evolving T20 game, there will be different match-ups in different overs and every over counts. We as professional cricketers need to be up for it,” Jayant said.
The offspinner, who had played a couple of Tests and internationals for India in the 2016/17 season against England, New Zealand and Australia, was picked by Mumbai Indians after being released by Delhi Capitals and said the team had adopted a tactical approach to tackle Chennai Super Kings in their home turf at the MA Chidambaram stadium.
"Our plans on batting or bowling have always been condition specific. For example in Wankhede, there are different plans for different people. In Chennai, there are different plans for different people. So, it's about gearing yourself tactically to various situations and trying to execute those plans to the hilt. I played in Chennai because the track here offers spin. I played as an extra spinner and my match-up was against lefties or bowling in the power play. So, I think that was a tactical decision and came off well in the end," Jayant said.
Mumbai Indians will now await the winner of the second qualifier while Chennai Super Kings will be playing the winner of the eliminator between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
