IPL 2024: The Rajasthan Royals arrived at Mumbai Indians’ home ground riding high on two consecutive victories. Despite their solid start to IPL 2024 season, the home advantage still favored Mumbai Indians, and the pre-match odds predicted a home triumph. However, the match unfolded quite differently, with MI barely putting up a fight. It turned out to be a lopsided affair as the Royals effortlessly defeated Hardik Pandya and Co. with a resounding six-wicket victory. Furthermore, one bowler in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal also etched his name into the annals of IPL history.
IPL 2024: Yuzvendra Chahal Achieves This Rare Feat In IPL
Yuzvendra Chahal picked up the big wicket of Hardik Pandya at a crucial stage when MI looked like they were in the ascendancy. Chahal followed it up with another wicket, this time Tilak Varma, who was looking dangerous. The 33-year-old then capped off his solid performance with the wicket of South African all-rounder Gerald Coetzee. He ended up with a figure of 4-0-11-3. It was Chahal’s 20th 3-wicket haul in the IPL, a feat he now shares with Jasprit Bumrah.
Chahal Is The First Spinner to Take 20 3-Wicket Haul In IPL
Chahal In T20 World Cup Contention
Chahal doesn’t need to prove anything, but his 3-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians reminded everyone that he remains one of the most prestigious spinners in white-ball cricket. The conditions in the West Indies and the USA, where the T20 World Cup will be held, will also be perfect for Chahal. He can be India’s trump card on the slow pitches.
Mumbai Indians Need To Wake Up: IPL 2024
Trent Boult’s scorching display with the new ball sent shockwaves through the entire Mumbai Indians batting lineup, leaving the hosts in disarray. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma tried to fight back but MI were always a wicket away from falling into the abyss again, which they did once Pandya was sent back into the pavilion by Chahal.
With MI losing three matches in a row, the five-time IPL champions find themselves at the bottom of the table. Pandya conceded that his team failed to make the most of their batting start.
“Yes, a tough night, we didn’t start the way we wanted to start. I wanted to counter, we were in a decent position to get us around 150-160, but my wicket allowed them to get back more into the game, I needed to do a lot more. It’s okay, we didn’t expect such a surface, but you can’t always have it as a batter, it’s nice at times for the bowlers to have a say. It’s all about doing the right things, (correct) results happen at times, at some other times it doesn’t. As a group, we believe we can do a lot better, but we need to be a bit more disciplined and show a lot more courage,” said Pandya.