How MS Dhoni Planned Mumbai Indians' Defeat In IPL 2010 Final

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have emerged as two most successful sides in the history of IPL. While CSK have made it a point to reach the play-offs almost every season the Mumbai franchise have clinched the IPL title a record four times. But the IPL arch-rivals faced-off for the first time in the 2010 final in Mumbai and from there on the rivalry has just grown over the years.

Opting to bat in IPL 2010 final, CSK scored 168 for five in the stipulated 20 overs, with Suresh Raina top-scoring with an unbeaten 57. Opener Murali Vijay (26) and MS Dhoni (22) played important cameos in the match for CSK. For Mumbai Indians, Lasith Malinga was the pick of the bowlers with a four-wicket haul.

But it was MS Dhoni who changed the complexion of the match and orchestrated his side to the first IPL triumph.

MS Dhoni kept me for the right-handers in the final: Shadab Jakati

Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar had got his side off to a solid start scoring 60-odd runs in the first 10 overs even after losing the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in the second over. Spinner Shadab Jakati had leaked a lot of runs in his initial overs. “I had gone for 21 runs in my first two overs,” Jakati told Wisden.com.

“With left-hander Abhishek Nayar batting, Dhoni told me I’d now bowl in the middle overs,” he added.

Inside 12 overs, Mumbai Indians had scored 73 runs with seven wickets in hand, as they looked well on course to chase down the target. But MS Dhoni had other plans. He sent, Jakati to bowl the 15th over, who had done his homework against the right-hander, and he delivered. Jakati not only removed Tendulkar in the second ball but also dismissed Saurabh Tiwary in the same over.

“(He kept) me for the right-handers – Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard. We had done our homework against MI’s right-handers, who were potentially weak against left-arm spinners.”