MI’s batting line-up faltered, but the economical spells by their bowlers helped them win the game

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the two most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with five titles each. However, when it comes to finals against each other, it is the Mumbai Indians who have defeated CSK in three of the four finals they have played. One of MI's victories came on this day in 2019, when they defended a moderate total against CSK to lift their fourth IPL title.

Pollard & Pandya’s late push

Batting first, Mumbai got off to a poor start, with Rohit Sharma scoring 15 runs off 14 deliveries, Suryakumar Yadav making 15 in 17 balls, Ishan Kishan adding another 23 runs but in 26 balls and Krunal Pandya out at seven runs. By the 14th over, Mumbai was reduced to five wickets for merely 101 runs on the board.

However, then came a late push from Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya. Pollard took on the CSK bowlers and hit six boundaries, scoring 41 runs in 25 balls, whereas on the other end, Pandya added 16 runs in 10 balls.

The duo of Pollard and Pandya helped the team post a moderate target of 149 runs. For MI fans, the game felt over.

Shane’s solo stance

To everybody’s surprise, it was not only Mumbai’s batting line-up that failed to deliver. On the night when it was needed the most, bowlers lived up to the expectations of both parties.

THE SHANE WATSON FIGHT BACK...!!!! 💛🫡

With blood bleeding from his Knees, Shane Watson played one of the most iconic innings of the IPL history "OTD in 2019" - CSK down & out in the final, he was a lone warrior scoring 80 runs from 59 balls but lost the final by just 1 run. pic.twitter.com/VmQE53GHMX

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 12, 2024

The only batter from CSK to make a stand was Shane Watson, with 80 runs in 59 balls, but he ended up getting run out. Five CSK batters returned to the dugout with single-digit scores, whereas Dwayne Bravo added 15 runs off 15 deliveries, which certainly did not help the cause.

In terms of economy, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Rahul Chahar did not leak more than an average of three runs per over, whereas Mitchell McClenaghan leaked six.

In the final moments of the game, Shardul Thakur was tasked with securing the two runs needed for victory, but a slow delivery from Malinga resulted in Thakur being dismissed with an LBW, concluding the intense match.

Inside the dressing room

- Won the IPL in 2013.
- Won the CLT20 in 2013.
- Won the IPL in 2015.
- Won the IPL in 2017.
- Won the IPL in 2019.
- Won the IPL in 2020.

THE LEGACY OF ROHIT SHARMA AS A CAPTAIN IN MI 💙

He played his first match for the Iconic Franchise "OTD in 2011". pic.twitter.com/SSKxs7GTr3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 10, 2025

According to IANS, inside the MI dressing room, Rohit Sharma had given a victory speech, stating, “Last year, after we couldn't qualify for the playoffs in Delhi, I told you all that this is a damn good team we have. Our run (2018 season) didn't go as expected, but I believed that this team can do wonders. Today, we have shown our character. This is the hallmark of our team. We believed in each other till the last minute. Each one of you was exceptional this season, and I am just the lucky guy who gets to lift the trophy.”

Key performers

Last but not least, in 2019, Quinton de Kock was the leading run-getter for Mumbai with 529 runs, whereas Jasprit Bumrah was the team's top bowler with 19 wickets to his name.