MI Vs CSK - 5 CLASSIC EL CLASICO Moments

Two teams. Both at the top of the table…. Errr … sorry bottom of the table. Actually it isn't my fault… we are so used to seeing them dominate over the years that seeing them getting dominated the last few editions of the IPL is a bit sad. 

But since they have given us some unforgettable IPL games, listing down 5 is tough. But cracking tough nuts is exactly what we do at PitchPoint…. So here we go….

5 : An MS Dhoni special pulls off a riveting win for the yellow army ( MI vs CSK, IPL 2022)

Like this year, even in 2022, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super kings were in familiar territory, but they still managed to produce a terrific game of cricket. Chasing 156 to win, the Super Kings were reduced to 88/4 in the 13th over. Like every Mi vs Csk game, it came down to the final over MS  Dhoni took strike as Dwayne Pretorius was sent back by a cracking Jaydev Unadkat yorker.  But Dhoni, a cool, calm and  collective Dhoni hit him for a massive six and a boundary of the last ball ensuring Tilak Verma’s fighting 56 and Daniel Sams’ spell went in vain.

4 : Dwayne Bravo snatches victory from the jaws of defeat. (MI VS CSK IPL 2018).

Again, like the international games, the Wankhede stadium has produced IPL classics. And especially when it is MI vs CSK. This time though, the setting was more personal when a team returned after a 2 year ban and there was a keen anticipation amongst the fans

CSK played their opening game at the Wankhede amidst a sea of yellow. They put the Mumbai Indians into bat first and restricted them to a modest score of 165. In return, they were in tatters as Hardik Pandya and Mayank Markande restricted them to 117/8 at the end of the 17th over. 

With 50 to get off the last 3 overs, the only thing that stood between the two teams was Dwayne Bravo. And that Dwayne Bravo snatched the game from the home team.  He scored a whirlwind 68 off 30 balls with 3 fours and 7 sixes. And even though he was dismissed, Kedar Jadhav applied the finishing touches as the men in blue were left high and dry and once again lost an opening game in the IPL. 

3 : Mi… Csk…. Almost Csk… but ultimately MI (Mi vs Csk, IPL 2012)

Another game at the Wankhede, another Dwayne is the hero. This time, it is Dwayne Smith. CSK, batting first scored an above par 173 thanks to cameos by Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Murali Vijay and Albie Morkel. In reply, MI were cruising at 131/1 as Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma enthralled a jam packed Wankhede before Faf Du Plessis pulled off the catch of the season to send back Sachin.

Regular wickets meant CSK almost pulled off a miraculously terrific win but Dwayne Smith stood like a rock. With 14 needed of the last 3, Ben Hilfenhaus bowled three atrocious length balls and was taken to the cleaners by Smith, ensuring that MI pulled things back in riveting fashion.

2 : DHURANDHAR Dhoni pips Pollard power at the death (MI vs CSK, IPL final 2010)

The game where it all started. The game which was the stepping stone to MI vs Csk being called the EL classico. It came at the DY Patil in 2010 and it was remembered for an absolute master stroke of a move.

Chasing 170 to win, Mumba Indians were all but out of the contest before Kieron Pollard decided to have some fun. With 51 required of the last 3 overs, he took Doug Bollinger for 22 runs and carted Albie Morkel for 2 sixes before the real moment arrived. 

MS DHONI placed Matthew Hayden right behind the bowler and Pollard was dismissed the very next ball as the Chennai Super Kings then defended their title with ease by a convincing 22 runs. 

1 : MI pip CSK in yet another unforgettable final (MI vs CSK, IPL Final 2019).

The Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings have always had a terrific rivalry in the IPL. But in 2019, the rivalry was fairly lopsided. CSK were beaten 3 times in the group stages and now the teams came face to face again in the final. 

Put into bat first, MI scored a mid 149 runs, only a few more than they did 2 finals ago, but this time, Kieron Pollard was the hero as he scored a quick fire 47. In response, Shane Watson kept CSK in the hunt as just 9 were needed in the final over. 

Lasith Malinga, who conceded 50 in his 3 overs bowled a sensational last over, particularly THAT slower delivery to dismiss Shardul thakur and give the Mumbai Indians their fourth IPL title, making it a mathematically apt one as they won in 2013, 2015,2017 and 2019. Watson, who was the hero in the 2018 final, was left heartbroken as he saw a consecutive title slip at the wrong moment.