'He was the difference': MI captain Hardik Pandya reveals the player who changed the game in CSK's favour and it's not MS Dhoni

The match between the two five-time champions - Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - lived up to all the pre-match hype as the viewers were treated to some exhilarating performances. While MS Dhoni's hat-trick of sixes in the last over of CSK's innings blew the roof off the Wankhede Stadium on April 14 (Sunday), Rohit Sharma's stupendous century displayed that the Hitman still boasts the ability to bat long and deep.

Matheesha Pathirana - the game-changer

While fans were thrilled by Dhoni and Rohit's display with the bat, it was CSK speedster Matheesha Pathirana who made the biggest impact on the game with a sensational spell with the ball. The Sri Lankan pacer finished with phenomenal figures of 4/28 in four overs and was awarded the Man of the Match award for his effort.

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After the game, MI captain Hardik Pandya also conceded that it was Pathirana who proved to be the difference-maker.

"It (target) was definitely gettable, but they bowled pretty well. Pathirana was the difference," Hardik told the broadcasters after the game, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"They were smart with the plans and their approach. They got the hang of it, there's a man behind the stumps (Dhoni) who tells them what's working, that helps. It (pitch) was holding up a bit and getting difficult. It was about batting well and keeping the intent. We were going quite well (in the run chase) till Pathirana came into the attack and took those two wickets," the MI skipper added.

MI fall short by 20 runs

After CSK scored 206/4 in their allotted 20 overs, Mumbai looked prime to gun down the score at one stage of the game, especially with the kind of start they received. However, a stifling spell from Pathirana and a couple of cheap overs from Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur spelled doom for the hosts. 

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In the end, MI could only manage to score 186/6 and lost the game by 20 runs. 

 

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