Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten century went in vain as Mumbai Indians fell short of the 207 runs target set by Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs in a block buster TATA IPL match that was played at the packed Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night.

Rohit who remained unbeaten on 105 off 63 balls which included five maximums in the process became the first-ever Indian batter to slam 500 T20 sixes. He also became the first MI batter to score 5500 runs..

Sri Lanka’s slinger pacer Matheesha Pathirana (4/28) double wicket strike in his opening over proved to be crucial in the context of the game as he not only ended the flourishing opening partnership of 0 runs between Rohit with Ishan Kishan (23) and the Impact player, Surya Kumar Yadav (0) in space of three balls. Tushar Deshpande (1/29) on the other hand accounted for Hardik Pandya (2) in the death overs.

Earlier, CSK's skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and local boy Shivam Dube scored belligerent  half centuries upfront, before former captain MS Dhoni’s 20 runs cameo of mere four balls in the final over bowled by Hardik (2/43) ensured that the visitors posted a competitive score of huge 206 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Gaikwad cracked a 40-ball 69, including five sixes, while Dube smashed unbeaten 66 off 38 balls  as the duo put on a 90-run partnership for the third wicket off mere 45 balls, before the former was dismissed by his opposite number Hardik Pandya in the 16^th over with 150 runs on the board

CSK’s 21 year old pacer Matheesha Pathirana who achieved his best bowling figures against MI was named the Player of the Match post the match said, " Was very nervous while bowling in the powerplay. MS Dhoni  told me to keep calm and that gave me confidence, that resulted in four wickets for me. I don't think too much about results, just concerned with my execution. If I execute, I will get my rewards. Sometimes I have to change my plans depending on the batters. The support staff all backed me during injury and that's been the main reason for my form."

A hurting Hardik Pandya, MI Skipper who had to face the wrath of Dhoni in the final over that in the end which became the margin of defeat felt that the target was definitely gettable, but credited the rivals for the way they bowled . “I feel Pathirana was the difference. They were smart with their plans and their approach. There's a man behind the stumps (Dhoni) who tells them what's working, and that helps. However in the end it was about batting well and keeping the intent. We were going quite well in the run chase till Pathirana came into the attack and took those two wickets (a wells set Ishan Kishan by Shradul Thakur at midwicket and Suryakumar Yadav the later fell to a superb piece of fielding at third man by Rahman Mustafizur ensuring the ball in play, despite losing balance and going over the ropes, before recovering to complete the catch)  post the powerplay.," said Hardik Pandya, whose team suffered their fourth loss in six games.

A beaming Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK Skipper credited  his young wicketkeeper (Dhoni, 42) for scoring those extra runs at such venues in the end that resulted in his team’s first away and fifth win on a trot in six games against their famed rivals with whom they are the joint most successful IPL team.

”MSD’s  scoring those three sixes down the order helped us a lot, and I feel at the end that’s was the difference. In the middle phase, Bumrah (0/27) bowled really well.  You need to be on the mark with bowling and batting at this venue and we achieved both of it. Our Malinga (Pathirana) bowled well today, he nailed those Yorkers. Not to forget, Tushar and Shardul also did well. I think we need to keep it simple, encourage all to be in a good headspace and continue the same way," said Ruturaj Gaikwad who scored his 16th IPL fifty in 58 matches on a winning cause.(Photo courtesy BCCI)

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings - 206 for 4 in 20 Overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 69 (40b; 5x4s, 5x6s), Shivam Dube 66* (38b: 10x4s, 2x6s), Rachin Ravindra 21 (16b: 2x4s, 1x6), MS Dhoni 20* (4b: 3x6s); Hardik Pandya 2/43, Shreyas Gopal 1/9, Gerald Coetzee 1/35) beat Mumbai Indians – 186 for 6  in 20 Overs ( Rohit Sharma 105 * (63b: 11x4s, 5x6s), Tilak Varma 31 (20b: 5x4s),Ishan Kishan 23 (15b: 3x4s, 1x6); Matheesha Pathirana 4/28, Tushar Deshpande 1/29, Mustafizur Rahman 1/55) by 20 runs. Player of the Match: Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings)

Photo Above: Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma who carried his bat through the innings for his second IPL century after a long gap of 12 years and eighth over all in T20’s joined the likes of RR’s current skipper Sanju Samson and his former team mate Yusuf Pathan on losing cause.