IPL 2018: Twitter Reacts as Suresh Raina's Fifty Guides Chennai Super Kings to Competitive Total

Riding on Suresh Raina’s fine fifty, table-toppers Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday (April 28) evening posted 169 for five in 20 allotted overs against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), in the game number 27 of the ongoing Indian Premier League’s (IPL) season in Pune

Put in to bat first, the Super Kings were off to a shaky start. Their in-form opener Shane Watson returned to the pavilion after scoring just 12.

Spinner Krunal Pandya provided Indians with the early breakthrough.

However, Ambati Rayudu, fresh off his 82-run knock against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the last game, made sure that Mumbai does not take command.

Rayudu mixed caution with aggression to help Super Kings finish the powerplay on 51 for one.

The right-handed batsman along with Suresh Raina steadied the ship and thus laid the foundation for a good total.

The duo added 71 runs for the second-wicket before Pandya struck again, dismissing Rayudu for 46. Super Kings soon entered the three digits in the 13th over.

With Mumbai keeping things tight, the Super Kings were finding it tough to score at a good pace. At the end of the 15th over, the score was 115 for two with Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the middle.

However, with just five overs remaining, the duo started taking their chances. In the 16th over, Dhoni hit leg-spinner Mayank Markande for a four and a six to collect 14 runs.

Moreover, the particular over provided the innings with the much-needed impetus. But just when it looked the duo would start taking the attack to the opposition, Mitchell McClenaghan broke the 46-run stand by dismissing Dhoni for 26.

One run later, the Kiwi pacer struck again, dismissing the dangerous Dwayne Bravo to reduce Chennai to 144 for four.

In the meantime, Raina reached his fifty off 35 deliveries. The southpaw remained till the end, scoring 75 – to help Chennai Super Kings post a competitive total at their second-adopted home, Pune.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

33rd IPL Fifty for Raina. With explosive Dhoni at other side, Raina seemed to have enjoy this inning little bit more. #IPL

— cricBC (@cricBC) April 28, 2018

An @msdhoni six a day keeps the tensions away! pic.twitter.com/T7oXxfFTGK

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 28, 2018

Mumbai have clawed back into the game with tight bowling and fielding. But Chennai have wickets in hand: including Raina, Bravo & Dhoni!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 28, 2018

You can never know Dhoni. He can escalate from strike rate of 14 to strike rate of 200 really quick. #CSKvMI

— Ye Koi ***** Hai Kya? (@intolerant_monk) April 28, 2018

Raina 12 from 14
Dhoni 4 in 10.

Time to start the tuk tuk.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 28, 2018

Ambati Rayudu Showing How To Take Revenge From Your Ex One She Dumps You. ???#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI #WhistlePodu #MumbaiIndians

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 28, 2018

Several players have played terrific knocks this IPL, but @RayuduAmbati the batting star so far:for consistency as well as dazzling strokes

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 28, 2018

Ambati Rayudu is the perfect example of how to make your ex jealous. #MIvCSK #IPL @cricketaakash

— Naresh Oala (@NareshOala) April 28, 2018

Rayudu knows what the bowler is going to bowl before the bowler knows it. #IPL2018

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) April 28, 2018

Rayudu garu at it again!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 28, 2018

https://twitter.com/BCCI_Men/status/990255703372660736

Last game against RCB – Became the only Player to Score 5000 Runs as a Captain in T20 Cricket.

Today against MI: Becomes the only player to lead a team in 150 matches as captain in IPL.

The name is 'MS Dhoni'#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI @ChennaiIPL

— Khurram Siddiquee (@iamkhurrum12) April 28, 2018

Meanwhile Sir Jadeja Explaining Harbhajan Singh Why I'm In The Playing XI And He's Not. ???#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI #WhistlePodu #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/tKe3LFmDDx

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 28, 2018

"Both of you, look at your teams in the points table"

Bravo, Pollard: pic.twitter.com/6DYpjAvnl7

— Neeche Se Topper (@NeecheSeTopper) April 28, 2018

Also Read: IPL 2018: Yuzvendra Chahal Backs RCB to Make a Comeback