Mumbai Indians enter prestigious list after chasing down 219 against Chennai Super Kings

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the exhibition of some incredible games over the years. In the 14 years of its existence, there have been countless unforgettable matches. In IPL 2021, the most recent humdinger was witnessed when Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) met in the ‘El Clasico’.

After MI’s skipper opted to field, Mumbai got off to an ideal start as their frontline pacer Trent Boult struck early to dismiss an in-form batter in Ruturaj Gaikwad cheaply. What transpired was some hitting for the ages. Blistering half-centuries from Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali boosted CSK. But, Ambati Rayudu’s jaw-dropping 72 off 27 balls which included seven sixes, posted a mammoth 218/4 on the board. If du Plessis and Moeen’s knocks were threatening, Rayudu’s 27-ball 72 was hitting at his murderous best in IPL 2021.

In pursuit of the second-highest chase in the tournament’s history, Mumbai Indians were provided a brisk start by openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. Although, Chennai Super Kings clawed their way back in with three wickets in a space of 13 balls, the base was laid.

Pollard’s brilliance

Scripting an incredible comeback from a perilous position, Kieron Pollard unfurled the most brutal of assaults, hitting eight sixes and six fours in an 87-run knock that came in just 34 balls to take his team across the line on the last ball of the game.

Mumbai’s 219-run chase ranks second on the list of the highest successful chases in the history of the league. The first being a nail-biting encounter between former Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 edition, where the latter chased 223. In that match, with Rajasthan Royals needing 53 off 18 balls, Rahul Tewatia blasted five sixes in one over bowled by Sheldon Cottrell. His knock of 53 off 30 balls helped Rajasthan Royals achieve history.

The first highest successful run-chase in the Indian Premier League was in 2008 when Rajasthan Royals chased down 217 against Deccan Chargers. Andrew Symonds hit a century for Deccan Chargers but Shane Warne slammed a six and a four in the last two balls to give them an incredible victory. Rajasthan Royals dominate the charts for the highest successful run-chase.

TOP 5 HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUNCHASES IN IPL HISTORY:

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