Two of the strongest teams in Indian Premier League rolled things off in the fifth edition and the match between the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians delivered lot of drama, eventually to see the Mumbai prevail over the Super Kings.

Even though the odds were evenly placed and it was anybody’s match, no one expected the Dhoni & Co to run out of fizz in the season opener and have such a disastrous start to their title defence. Mumbai would not have wanted more than what they got yesterday. Their eight-wicket win over Chennai at M.A Chidambaram ground must have started ringing warning bells in the other team’s camp and definitely teams would be wary when they face Mumbai.

The match however flattered to deceive and the being the inaugural match it lacked that firepower for which IPL is known for. There have been some good performances but the list of flops definitely weighs it down. It is too early in the day to say as to how the players would up in the upcoming matches, but let us have a look at as to what positives these teams can take forward and what are the negatives they need to contemplate on.

Hits and Flops of Chennai super Kings

Hits

Suresh Raina: After a going through a rough patch in England and Australia, he jumped to form in the Asia Cup which was signs that he was getting back in the groove for the IPL. And bingo it was so. When Chennai’s batsmen were collapsing like nine pins he stood out in defiance and played a brave 26 balls 36 run innings which contained two fours and a six. Even though it was not enough for his team, still it would bring smile to the Chennai camp as they could see the initial glimpses of excellence from a man who has been instrumental for their success in the earlier editions.

Dwayne Bravo: He figures in the match weren’t great, but then his useful contribution with both bat and ball made him evidently the best player against Mumbai Indians. He first scored 19 runs from as balls and then took a wicket by away just 14 runs from three overs on a day where Richard Levi was on song.

Flops

Ravindra Jadeja: Million dollar boy failed to deliver on one of the biggest matches of the season. Too early but still lot would have been expected from a player who has such a big price tag attached to his name. He managed to score only three runs and when he was asked to do the job with the ball he went for 16 runs in just one over. So he would have to turn things around for him as soon as possible if not for the eyes monitoring him then just for himself as he has to justify the fat paycheck that has been given to him.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Over the years he has made a reputation for himself of being a player who would rescue the team from dire straits. But he could not do so last night and the way he got out was an unusual thing to happen. He was run-out which isn’t a usual sight, but it happened though. Dhoni’s captaincy also had some flaws. Well he knows his job best, but ideally on a day when they kept losing wickets at regular he should have come up ahead than Morkel and Badrinath in order to steady their sinking ship.

Hits and flop of Mumbai Indians

Hits

Richard Levi: A surprise pick by Mumbai Indians, Richard Levi did not disappoint his team. Levi who has the record of scoring the fastest T20 century against New Zealand proved it that it was not an one-off thing and his 35 ball 55 including six fours and three sixes was prove enough to it. He is a clean hitter of the ball and his shot does not lack an inch when it comes down to conviction. A bright prospect for Indians and does he keep it up, he would very well have some records piled up against his name in this season of IPL.

Sachin Tendulkar: Nothing unusual. Before retiring hurt, he played 15-ball 16 runs which had a boundary and a six. He could not go on for long and unfortunately had to retire hurt. But initial glimpses from Wednesday’s match still do make him the man to watch out for in this IPL season.
The bowlers:  Mumbai bowled their heart out. The combination of Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha and Keiron Pollard rattled the defending champions inside out. Each of them took two wickets and had their economy rate of under five runs per over is not a thing one gets to see in a T20 match.

Flops

Rohit Sharma: Rohit getting out for duck. Not a good thing for Mumbai Indians. He is a player they rely on and after playing well against Pakistan in the Asia Cup his last match before yesterday, lot was expected out of him but he flattered to deceive. He posted his sixth duck in T20s and his second in the IPL.

Harbhajan Singh, the bowler: As a captain he marshaled his resources well to lead Mumbai Indians to convincing victory. But as a bowler, he wasn’t his imperious self. Turbanator once an integral part of the national team and now out of favour, seriously has to prove his critics wrong to make it back to the team. And IPL is the platform for him, but his performance from last night would not even tickle the selectors. He went wicket less on the day when opposition’s batting was looking the most vulnerable. His performance yesterday does not show his true capability and he seriously needs to start taking wickets to help Mumbai Indians as well get back in contention to be selected to the team.

Indian Sports News