IPL 2021: MI player ratings vs CSK as Milne's fiery spell goes in vain
Quinton de Kock: 4/10
De Kock's crucial drop that would've sent Gaikwad back to the hut in the ninth over proved to be the difference between an abysmal CSK total and a competitive one. He was particularly shoddy behind the stumps as he fumbled several simple takes. Although De Kock seemed set to continue his good form with the bat, the opener missed a swinging delivery from Chahar and was trapped plumb in front. It was yet another thrown-away start for the South African, who needs to step up for MI.
Anmolpreet Singh: 6/10
Anmolpreet showed promise in the 14 balls he faced as he used his wrists to take find two boundaries and a six off Hazlewood's second over. However, he had no answers to a smart knuckle ball from Chahar which disturbed his timber in the fifth over, just when it seemed like he was gaining momentum. The 23-year-old won't get too many opportunities in the playing XI, and he might lose his place if Rohit Sharma returns to the side for the next game.
Suryakumar Yadav: 2/10
Suryakumar is one of the best in the world at playing on the up on slow surfaces, but his biggest strength caused his downfall in Dubai. He tried to loft Thakur over the infield on the off-side but only managed to spoon a straightforward catch to Du Plessis on the edge of the circle. It was a careless shot for MI's No. 3, who needed to take on more responsibility in the absence of Rohit and Hardik Pandya.
Ishan Kishan: 3/10
Kishan fell prey to a carefully thought-out plan from Dhoni. The young keeper was afforded nothing on his pads and was forced to manufacture his shots over the off-side, one of which saw him find a close-in catcher off Bravo's bowling for 11. Another soft dismissal, this time in the over after the first strategic timeout, put the brakes on MI's momentum in the chase.
Saurabh Tiwary: 7/10
Tiwary had a job on his hands after MI lost a few quick wickets, and while he peppered the packed off-side field with some sumptuous drives, he couldn't really find his timing at any stage of the innings. The big left-hander notched up an IPL fifty, a slow one off 40 balls, to finish as MI's leading run-scorer in the match by some margin. He was good in the field as he made a few key diving stops.
Kieron Pollard: 5/10
Pollard's captaincy in the first innings came under criticism as he let Jadeja and Gaikwad off the hook after reducing CSK to tatters at the end of the powerplay. He probably should've been more attacking with his captaincy, but the game was still in his pocket when he came out to bat. The big West Indian smashed a four and a six but the pace and guile of Hazlewood saw him sent back to the hut for 15.
Krunal Pandya: 1/10
Krunal was undoubtedly MI's worst performer on the night. He conceded 27 runs off his two overs, with his expensive second over injecting momentum into the CSK innings and breaking MI's strangehold over the game. The all-rounder then ran himself out for 4, setting off for a non-existent run and ruining MI's last chance to stitch together a meaningful partnership.
Adam Milne: 9/10
Fresh off finishing The Hundred as the leading wicket-taker, Milne justified his inclusion in the MI playing XI ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Marco Jansen with an inspired spell of fast bowling. He conceded only 21 runs off his four overs, dismissing Ali and Dhoni in the powerplay and also injuring Rayudu. The Kiwi even chipped in with 15 runs - the joint fourth-highest score in the MI innings.
Rahul Chahar: 7/10
Chahar didn't have much of a role to play as the CSK batsmen played him out without taking too many risks. He conceded 22 runs off his four overs and would've had a wicket if De Kock hadn't shelled a chance off Gaikwad.
Jasprit Bumrah: 7/10
Bumrah bowled his four overs in spurts, as has become the norm for him in MI colors. He picked up the wickets of Jadeja and Bravo at the death, but some smart shot selection from the CSK batsmen saw him concede 33 runs in his four overs. The MI spearhead was still decent, though, and could collect a bag of wickets with his cutters and yorkers in the UAE.
Trent Boult: 6.5/10
Boult's new-ball spell was impressive as usual. He outsmarted Du Plessis and Raina within the first six overs to put CSK on the backfoot. However, the left-armer's spell at the death left a lot to be desired as Bravo and Gaikwad plundered him for boundaries. He ended up with figures of 2/35.
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