MI the toughest team in the IPL: Dwayne Bravo

Talismanic Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has said that any match against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is like playing a final. The CSK player’s comments came after his team won a close contest against MI by a margin of 20 runs on Sunday (19 September).

MI bowlers were right on the money in the powerplay and reduced CSK to 47 for four inside the first 10 overs. But opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was defiant at one end and continued to bat through the innings. He scored an unbeaten 88 and enabled CSK to finish above 150. He was helped along the way by Bravo, who scored an eight-ball 23 runs, which also included three maximums.

Later, the CSK bowlers were right on the money led by the ever-so-reliable Bravo, who picked up three wickets, restricting MI to just 136. He also talked about the reason why he didn’t bowl in the last four matches of CPL 2021. Moreover, he had a few words to say on his batting after his blistering knock.

“It’s a good feeling, obviously against MI it’s the toughest team in the IPL and it’s like a final playing against them, always a good feeling to win. Just tried to protect myself in the last stages of CPL and when I came over here, just had one bowling session which was yesterday, and happy to get four overs through today.

“Now I bat lower down the order with the batting line-up like CSK, for me, it’s just about trying to get the momentum and try to capitalize, adjust and adapt,” Bravo told at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been our star player: Dwayne Bravo

Bravo also was effusive in praise of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played a near-perfect knock. The opening batter mixed caution with aggression and remained calm throughout his knock. The CSK all-rounder feels Gaikwad played proper cricketing shots and bailed the Super Kings out of jail.

“Just try to give the best of my ability whenever I go out to bat. Gaikwad has been our star player end of last season and this season and he is a quality player. Played proper cricket shots and played till the end. He has an appetite for runs and it’s good to get over the line this game,” he added.