Bravo, Dwayne!

In an emotional comeback match, Chennai reminded everyone why they were the best in the business.

espncricinfo.com The innings that turned it around

14th July 2015 was the saddest day in every CSK’s fan memory and this was a team that had lost 4 finals. The three-member Lodha Committee had ruled them and Rajasthan Royals out because of their involvement in the fixing saga of 2013.

For 2 years, their fans had to see the players they had come to love and adore playing in colours other than the beloved Chennai yellow. On 7th April 2018, Wankhede roared its biggest roar when MS Dhoni walked out in the same old kit.

The comeback match went their way right till the time Mumbai Indians were batting, and then it wasn’t. Their last outing in the IPL had come up against the very same team and it had been dreadful.

The 2015 IPL Final was one-sided. After a dismal bowling performance, their batsmen crumbled like a sugar cookie. The one batsman who didn’t would’ve wished that he had gotten out sooner.

Beginning from where you left off is usually a good thing, but CSK would’ve preferred if they had a new leaf over. Hardik Pandya struck the opening blows but newcomer Markande was the one who put the screws in.

At 4-51 and then at 5-75 and then at 6-84 and finally at 7-105, the Super Kings were gone for all money. But it is during times of adversity that the mentality and fortitude of a player are tested. Dwayne Bravo was up to it.

When his first six came off Markande, to the commentators it seemed nothing more than a consolation. Then the next one came off Bumrah and it seemed like a fluke. Hardik’s tidy 17th overall hammered the last nail in the coffin.

2 overs later, Mumbai had underestimated their rivals. 5 sixes and a four in the span of 12 balls changed the game completely. But crucially, there was no Bravo in the last over. Kedar Jadhav, who had walked off earlier because of a pulled hamstring was on strike. He couldn’t run- the 7 runs remaining had to come through boundaries. Mustafizur’s first three balls made it look like Bravo had thrown the game away in haste.

But then, Kedar got on his knees and scooped the ball overshot fine leg for a six. The next ball was drilled through the off for a four and out came running the Super Kings, who had pulled off the impossible. CSK were back from the dead, back from suspension and back with a bang. They weren’t just coming back. They were coming back for their crown.