IPL 2018, MI vs CSK: Hits and Misses

#1 Hit: Dwayne Bravo

Bravo was phenomenal with the bat

Dwayne Bravo is one of the biggest T20 superstars of the world. Having played a staggering 375 T20 games, Bravo is the only player in the history of T20 cricket to take 400 wickets in the shortest format.

Coming back at CSK, Bravo was always going to be Dhoni’s go-to bowler, especially at the death. He came into bowl in the 12th over of the game and gave away 14 runs in his first over. However, Bravo showed why he is rated as one of the best T20 death bowlers. In his last three overs, he just gave 11 runs and restricted a big MI flourish.

In the last few years, Bravo’s batting has dipped a bit and it was under scrutiny. Coming into bat at No. 7, Bravo began on a positive note as he hit MI’s best bowler Mayank Markande for a six down to long-on. That was the start of a one-man show.

The West Indian then saw wickets fall around him and CSK were reduced to 118/8. CSK still needed 47 in 3 overs and the game looked dead and buried. However, Bravo completely changed the completion of the game.

In the 18th over, he hit Mitchell McClenaghan for 2 sixes and 1 four and fetched 20 runs to give momentum to the innings. Bravo then hit one of the best death bowlers Jasprit Bumrah for 3 sixes to bring the game back to life.

With 7 runs required off 7 balls, the 34-year-old T20 specialist was dismissed. He struck a fine 30-ball 68 where he hit 7 sixes. Bravo was the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.