The match was also a reminder of how the IPL doesn’t just showcase talent; it weaves together narratives that cricket lovers never forget
Twenty days after Mahendra Singh Dhoni launched India into cricketing glory with that iconic six under the Wankhede lights, he was back at the same venue—but the love story had soured this time. The match between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings was no ordinary game in 2011.
It was the blockbuster sequel to the 2010 IPL final, where Chennai had gatecrashed Mumbai’s trophy dreams. The buzz around the Wankhede on April 22 was deafening. There was unfinished business. And in that electric cauldron, two men—Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma—decided to rewrite the script.
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Before a single ball was bowled, there was drama in the dugout. Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds—once at the heart of one of cricket’s ugliest standoffs during the “Monkeygate” saga in Sydney—now shared the same Mumbai Indians jersey.
The tension? Nowhere in sight. High-fives, hugs, and some playful banter. Cricket had moved on, and so had they.
But things on the pitch were far from cordial. Chennai won the toss and put Mumbai in.
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The hosts stumbled early. Rajagopal Sathish was out for a duck, and Sachin Tendulkar—yes, the same man who had lifted the World Cup at this very ground just weeks ago—top-edged Doug Bollinger to depart for just 5. From 13 for 2, Mumbai needed someone to get stuck in.
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Then the Hitman came to the middle. Timing, grace, and audacity—his innings had it all. Along with Ambati Rayudu (27) and later Symonds (31* off 26), Rohit stitched the Mumbai innings together.
His 87 runs off just 48 balls, featuring 8 fours and 5 sixes, was IPL poetry. When Bollinger dismissed him in the 20th over, he had pushed Mumbai to a competitive 164 for 4.
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Chennai’s chase started brightly. Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay added 31 runs in four overs. However, Harbhajan Singh didn’t take long to weave his web. Suresh Raina was the first victim—beaten in flight, caught, and bowled. The spell had begun.
The Wankhede came alive once again in the 12th over when Lasith Malinga dismissed Hussey with a well-directed short ball. Kieron Pollard plucked the catch off the turf like a tennis ball.
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Harbhajan wasn’t finished. Anirudha Srikkanth fell to a mistimed slog. Albie Morkel, Ashwin, and Joginder Sharma followed like pawns in a master’s plan. By the end of his four overs, he had taken 5 for 18—his first IPL five-wicket haul.
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While wickets tumbled at one end, Subramaniam Badrinath stood tall. Composed and unflustered, he played a gem of an innings—71 not out off 48 balls, including 7 crisp boundaries and 2 sixes. He refused to go down without a fight. However, with no support at the other end, even his valiant knock couldn’t steer Chennai home.
CSK was eventually restricted to 156 for 9, falling just 8 runs short. The Wankhede erupted. Harbhajan was mobbed by teammates. Rohit’s innings had set it up, and Bhajji’s spell had sealed the deal.
