OTD | Mumbai Indians clinched their second IPL title by beating Chennai Super Kings in 2015

Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the most successful franchises in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, having won five titles. Only Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been able to match the Mumbai-based franchise in terms of filling the trophy cabinet. MI’s fortunes were shaped in the 2013 season when Rohit Sharma led them to glory for the first time. 

In 2014, they qualified for the playoffs but lost to CSK by seven wickets in the Eliminator. The fire of revenge was burning inside Rohit and co, and what other venue than the final to do it? CSK dominated the 2015 league stage and finished as the table toppers. On the other hand, MI, who suffered four straight defeats at the start, including against CSK, finished in second place. 

Both teams came face to face in Qualifier 1 and this time, MI had the last laugh. Mumbai defeated the Yellow Army by 25 runs and booked a berth in the final. MS Dhoni’s men passed the Qualifier 2 examination against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (formerly Royal Challengers Bangalore) and joined their arch-rivals in the summit clash. 

CSK fall like pack of cards in 203 run chase 

CSK won the toss and invited MI to bat first at a fully-packed Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 24. MI got off to a good start even though they lost Parthiv Patel for a duck in the first over. Lendl Simmons (68 off 45) and skipper Rohit (50 off 26) added 119 runs for the second wicket. 

Both set batters were sent back to the pavilion in back-to-back deliveries but Kieron Pollard (36 off 18) and Ambati Rayudu (36* off 24) gave them a competitive score of 202/5 in 20 overs. MI are known to defend small targets and fans hope their bowlers have more than enough runs to do their job neatly. 

CSK’s reply was a slow start to the innings and they even lost opener Michael Hussey in the fifth over. Dwayne Smith and Mr. IPL Suresh Raina then put on a 60+ partnership to bring them back into the game. However, both were dismissed in quick succession and CSK fell like a pack of cards. Mitchell McClenaghan and Harbhajan Singh took two wickets each, while Lasith Malinga grabbed three wickets as CSK’s innings was restricted to 161-8. 

Mumbai completed their revenge in the most effective way with a massive 41-run win. Captain Rohit Sharma was adjudged Player of the Match for his blistering half-century knock.