IPL 2021, MI vs SRH Highlights: Rahul Chahar, Rohit 'Sixman' Sharma, SRH's same-old story & other top moments

IPL 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: How MI kept Warner-led SRH winless. Photo credits | MI&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspTwitter

Match 9 of the ongoing IPL 2021 edition saw the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) face David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday evening (April 17). 

With Rohit & Co. in search for their second win on the trot and Warner-led Orange Army desperate for their first-ever win in the season, it was set to be a riveting clash and lived up to expectations as Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 13 runs. Here are some of the top moments from Match number 9 of the IPL 14 season:

1) Rohit 'Sixman' Sharma:  The MI captain is already known as the Hitman, a name which has been associated with him due to his effortless six-hitting abilities. However, the 34-year-old attained a huge milestone up his sleeves during the early stage of the encounter. Courtesy of his 25-ball 32, Rohit became the Indian player with the most sixes in IPL, surpassing MS Dhoni's tally (216)

Most sixes in IPL

Chris Gayle - 351 AB de Villiers - 237Rohit Sharma - 217* MS Dhoni - 216 Virat Kohli - 201

2) T Natarajan's omission leads to SRH think-tank's criticism: T Natarajan has become a household name since the IPL 2020 edition. Deadly with his yorkers at the death overs, Natarajan found himself out of the playing XI when SRH took on the field vs MI amid a plethora of changes. As the Hyderabad fans reacted strongly to Natarajan's absence, SRH Director of Cricket Operations Tom Moody defended the decision and told the match commentators on air at Star Sports channel, "Not dropped, rested - Managing his workload, we know it's a long tournament and he's had quite a lot of cricket already under his belt." 

3) Oh Jonny, what have you done? Riding on Kieron Pollard's 35* off 22 balls, MI set a 151-run target for SRH at Chepauk, which has proved to be challenging for the chasing side so far. SRH, however, were ahead courtesy of a 67-run opening stand between Jonny Bairstow (22-ball 42) and Warner. However, MI needed some luck and it came in the form of Bairstow's dismissal as the Englishman got dismissed hit-wicket off Krunal Pandya in the 8th over.

4) Same-old story for SRH: After Bairstow, the SRH innings folded soon as they succumbed from 67/0 to 136 all-out in 19.2 overs. While Rahul Chahar continued to shine and carry the momentum from the previous encounter (to return with 3/19), Trent Boult wrapped up proceedings with his fiery death-over bowling. Boult missed out on a hat-trick but ended with 4/28.

The likes of Bumrah, Krunal, and Hardik Pandya (with two run-outs) dented SRH's run-chase as MI continue to march ahead after their traditional season-opener jinx.