Akeal Hosein led Mumbai Indians' demolition at Wankhede. (Image: PTI)

IPL Play of the Day: CSK went Plan B, then Akeal Hosein made Mumbai Indians pay

IPL Play of the Day, MI vs CSK: Sanju Samson's century set the stage, but Chennai Super Kings' mid-innings pivot with the Impact Sub proved decisive. Akeal Hosein's 4 for 17 turned that gamble into a match-winning masterclass against Mumbai Indians.

24 Apr 2026, 02:20 by Amar Sunil Panicker · India Today

In Short

Akeal Hosein’s inclusion led to MI’s demolition at Wankhede
Hosein finished with his best IPL figures of 4 for 17
CSK handed MI their biggest defeat in the history of the IPL

Sanju Samson's brilliant century at the Wankhede Stadium will, quite rightly, dominate the headlines.

It did at first – and you can read all about it here.

Scoring a hundred against the Mumbai Indians at their own ground is no small feat, particularly in what remains the most storied rivalry in the Indian Premier League. Yet, while the applause centred on Samson’s unbeaten 101 off 54 balls, the real reason Chennai Super Kings secured victory lay elsewhere – in a sharp tactical call from the dugout.

This was, in many ways, a lesson in the intelligent use of the Impact Player rule. While the spectacle unfolded with the bat, the contest itself turned on a decision made deep into the innings.

That moment arrived in the 18th over, when the CSK management chose to pivot from their initial plan and take a calculated risk - one that ultimately shifted the balance of the match.

NO BATTING SAFETY NET

During the middle overs, Chennai Super Kings appeared to be in a spot of bother. When Shivam Dube departed, they were four down and the run rate had begun to dip. The conventional response would have been to deploy Prashant Veer as the Impact Sub to bolster the batting. In fact, Ruturaj Gaikwad had hinted at that approach at the toss. Typically, teams in that position look to add an extra batter and push well beyond 200.

Instead, Chennai showed rare clarity. They sent in Kartik Sharma, and while his contribution was far from explosive, it was precisely what the situation demanded. By occupying the crease for 18 deliveries, he provided a crucial buffer that allowed the innings to stabilise. Had he fallen earlier, the management might have been compelled to follow through with the pre-planned batting substitution. Instead, Sharma's stay bought them time - and with it, a shift in perspective.

When he eventually fell, the plan changed almost immediately. Jamie Overton was sent in to provide late impetus, but more importantly, the idea of a batting substitution was quietly shelved. Instead, Akeal Hosein was sent in after Overton's dismissal in the 18th over, with the management placing their trust in Sanju Samson to see the innings through.

This move chose bowling strength over batting insurance, ensuring the unit had the necessary might for the second innings. It was a cold, calculated move that prioritised the defence before the first innings had even finished.

This pivot proved to be the match-winning turn.

AKEAL HOSEIN MAKING IT COUNT

The final two overs were all about staying calm. Facing Jasprit Bumrah in the 19th over was a monumental task, so Chennai ensured Samson faced the majority of the balls to farm the strike. Akeal Hosein played his role perfectly, refusing to waste deliveries and instead taking singles to get the man in form back on strike. Scoring 10 runs off a Bumrah over kept the momentum firmly with the visitors.

The final over saw Samson take total charge. Hardik Pandya made the surprising choice not to bowl himself, instead giving the ball to the young Krish Bhagat. Samson smashed 16 runs to reach his century and propel the total to 207.

Crucially, by not using the sub on a batter, Chennai kept Hosein fresh to lead the bowling defence. Samson's unbeaten 101 was a masterclass in situational awareness, but it was the synergy with Hosein that allowed him to strike with such freedom in those final moments.

They had kept a major weapon in their pocket, which Mumbai had not planned for. This partnership was about more than runs; it was about managing the strike to set up a dominant total. By the time the innings closed, the psychological advantage had already swung towards the men in yellow.

HOSEINS FEARLESS WANKHEDE DEMOLITION DERBY

Mumbai faced a reinforced attack after Chennai’s mid-innings gamble. Akeal Hosein exploited the surface to finish with clinical figures of 4/17. Speaking at the post-match interview, Hosein noted the complexity of the pitch: "The wicket was offering both, some were swinging and it was gripping as well. So for me, it was just trying to use the conditions as best as possible."

Initially bowling too flat, Hosein adjusted his length against Danish Malewar, tossing the ball up to find the breakthrough. "That was definitely the plan, to stay on the stumps," he explained. He followed up by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, a performance he attributed to the mentorship of Dwayne Bravo.

"He said as bowlers... you’re going to get hit. So as long as you can get that out of your mind and focus on your plans... and forget about being scared of getting hit, I think you’re fine," Hosein revealed.

Alongside Noor Ahmad, Hosein strangled the chase to hand Mumbai their heaviest defeat at home. While his lack of game-time earlier in the season had been a point of contention, this performance likely secures his spot in the XI for the foreseeable future.

- Ends