CSK vs MI HIGHLIGHTS: Pollard power runs wild on Chennai as Mumbai pull off miraculous chase in IPL Clasico

CSK vs MI HIGHLIGHTS: Pollard power runs wild on Chennai as Mumbai pull off miraculous chase in IPL Clasico&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

Many expected Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) to register a devastating defeat following Ambati Rayudu's batting masterclass on Saturday. However, the titleholders came up with a champion's response by delivering a knockout blow to MS Dhoni & Co. through Kieron Pollard's phenomenal batting performance. Pollard reigned supreme over the CSK bowling unit with his match-winning knock in the first Clasico of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 between MI and CSK at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.  

Stakes were high as defending champions Mumbai were eyeing a morale-boosting win over arch-rivals CSK in the first IPL Clasico of the IPL 2021. Announcing the tactical change for the IPL Clasico against an unchanged CSK side led by skipper Dhoni, Mumbai captain Rohit revealed that the five-time champions have handed a debut to new recruit James Neesham in place of spinner Jayant Yadav. 

Rampaging Rayudu propels CSK to 218/4

While Moeen Ali smashed a quick-fire 58, opener Faf Du Plessis continued his sublime run by notching up another half-century (50) to help CSK overcome Ruturaj Gaikwad's rare batting failure against Mumbai Indians. Playing his 200th IPL match, CSK legend Suresh Raina also recorded a forgetful outing. Raina is the 4th player in the history of IPL to play 200 matches. 

CSK were gunning for a challenging total before Ambati Rayudu went absolute bonkers in the last five overs. After scoring his half-century in 20 balls, Rayudu shifted gears and ended up smashing seven sixes en route to an astonishing 27-ball 72. Rampaging Rayudu plundered runs with Ravindra Jadeja as the duo's 102-run stand for the 5th wicket powered CSK to a mammoth 218-4 in 20 overs. 

Bumrah records his most expensive figures 

In the high-scoring thriller, India's numero uno Jasprit Bumrah recorded an awful outing with the ball as the Mumbai Indian pacer returned the most expensive spell of his IPL career. Bumrah removed the dangerous Moeen in the 11th over but the pacer ended up leaking 56 runs. The Team India pacer and Yorker-specialist bagged a dubious record by bettering his 55-run spell against the Delhi Capitals. Bumrah conceded 55 runs against Delhi during the 2015 season.  

Pollard power outmuscles CSK  

The power-hitter simply overshadowed Rayudu's match-changing knock by tormenting the CSK bowling unit in the high-scoring encounter. Quinton de Kock (38), Rohit (35), and Krunal (32) all chipped in with crucial knocks though it was Pollard who changed the tie on its head with his batting onslaught. Pollard demolished the CSK bowling attack by registering his record-equalling fastest half-century for the Mumbai Paltan. Pollard's 17-ball half-century is also the fastest fifty scored in the IPL 2021. 

Pollard's blockbuster knock inspires 2nd-highest IPL chase 

Fresh from taking two crucial wickets of Du Plessis and Raina, Pollard smoked eight sixes and four boundaries to remain unbeaten on 87 off 34 balls. Thanks to a cameo from Hardik Pandya (16 off 7 balls), Pollard guided Mumbai to one of the most memorable wins over CSK in the IPL Clasico.

Completing a quick double on the final ball, Pollard remained unbeaten on 87 to make sure Mumbai complete the 2nd-highest chase in IPL history. "Probably one of the T20 games that I have ever been part of. I have never seen a chase like that before. One of the best innings from Polly," MI skipper Rohit said after the match.