Mumbai Indians Send Chennai Super Kings Packing, MS Dhoni's Side Out Of IPL 2022 Play-off Race

Mumbai Indians on Thursday snuffed out defending champions Chennai Super Kings' faint hopes of making the Indian Super League play-offs with a five-wicket win in a low-scoring match in Mumbai. Opting to bowl, MI shot CSK out for 97 with pacer Daniel Sams (3/16 from 4 overs) running though the MS Dhoni-led side's top-order with three quick wickets in a fiery opening spell, and then huffed and puffed to overhaul the small target of 98 with 31 balls to spare. MI were four wickets down for 33 runs in the fifth over before Tilak Varma (34 not out off 32 balls) and Hrithik Shooken (18) calmed the frayed nerves with a 48-run stand for the fifth wicket. MI reached 103 for 5 in 14.5 overs.

Tim David remained not out on 16 off just seven balls.

With their eighth loss in 12 matches, CSK are out of reckoning for a play-offs berth. They remained at ninth position with eight points.

Already out of reckoning for a play-offs berth long time ago, MI remained rooted at the 10th and bottom place with three wins from 12 matches.

Both CSK and MI have two inconsequential matches left to be played. It will be the first time in IPL history that neither MI nor CSK would be part of the play-offs.

Defending 97, Mukesh Choudhary (3/23) struck in the fifth ball of the opening over as Ishan Kishan (6) poked well away from his body to see a thin edge go through to Dhoni behind the stumps.

MI captain Rohit Sharma found a four each off Choudhary and Simarjeet Singh in the next two overs. But Simarjeet had the last laugh in the fourth over, having Rohit caught by Dhoni.

Choudhary then raised hopes of a CSK miracle by having Daniel Sams (1) and Tristan Stubbs (0) in the space of three balls in the fifth over.

MI were 36 for 4 after powerplay and Hrithik