Rohit hits 1st fifty of IPL 2019\, but Santner-led CSK bowlers keep MI under check

Rohit hits 1st fifty of IPL 2019, but Santner-led CSK bowlers keep MI under check

Press Trust of India  |  Chennai 

Skipper struck his first half-century of the season before bowlers fought back brilliantly to restrict to 155 for four in an match here Friday.

Rohit top-scored for MI with 67 from 48 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes, but it was Kiwi left-arm spinner who starred with the ball for CSK with brilliant figures of 2 for 13 from his four overs.

Sent in to bat by stand-in after Mahendra was ruled out of the match due to fever, MI couldn't capitalise on a good start, faltering against some accurate by the home team.

From 103 for two in 13 overs, MI could only muster 52 runs in the final seven overs.

The big-hitting Hardik Pandya (23 not out off 18 balls, 1x4, 1x6) and Kieron Pollard (13 off 12 balls, 2x4s) couldn't do much damage but still managed to get MI past the 150-run mark.

Rohit led from the front with a typically elegant half-century, his first of the season, during which he hit some big sixes and looked in control for the most part.

He was holed out to at long-on off Santner, who bowled a brilliant spell.

Krunal Pandya, pushed up the order in a bid to speed up the scoring rate, fell for just one run, caught by Santner in the deep off Imran Tahir's

power-hitter Evin Lewis (32 off 30 balls, 3x4s, 1X6) added 75 runs with Rohit for the second wicket and took the attack to the CSK bowlers.

The fast improving got the first wicket for CSK in the form of dangerous (15 off 9 balls, 1x4, 1x6) with a slower ball.

The South African's attempt to turn the ball to leg-side resulted in a top-edge which was taken by Ambati Rayudu, donning the big gloves in place of the indisposed Dhoni.

Earlier, CSK won the toss and elected to field but were dealt a big blow ahead of the match with Dhoni missing out due to

Also, Faf du Plessis and Ravindra Jadeja missed out and Santner, and came in.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, April 26 2019. 22:00 IST