Hosein's Powerplay punch floors MI

It was a performance that almost wasn't. Akeal Hosein might have ended up a substitute rather than a match-winner for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians on Thursday night. He came in as an Impact Player only because Sanju Samson held fort in the middle.

Hosein made an immediate impact, striking in the first over of the MI innings. He claimed four batters to finish with 4/17, helping CSK beat MI by 103 runs.

"For me, it was just about executing every ball to the best of my ability and doing what the team requires. I'm very happy to contribute to a win at Mumbai Indians' home ground," Hosein said.

Hosein is a specialist in bowling during the Powerplay. He opened the attack for West Indies and did the same for CSK. With only two fielders outside the circle, he followed Dwayne Bravo's advice.

"One thing Bravo said: if you're going to get hit, at least get hit to the two fielders protecting the boundaries. It's about sticking to the team plan and bowling the best delivery to that batter."

Hosein bowled two overs in the Powerplay, claiming Danish Malewar and Naman Dhir. He turned the ball appreciably on a pitch that was holding up. He added Hardik Pandya and Krish Bhagat to his tally, complemented by spin twin Noor Ahmed (2/23).

"I've been picking the brains of coaches on red soil, black soil – what it does and which deliveries work. Some surfaces react differently, so it's about doing homework quickly. Bowling in the Powerplay is scary with two fielders out, but it's about being brave."

His 'masked' celebration – covering his face with his palm – caught the eye. "Everybody has their own mask. Noor has one, footballers have theirs. I chose this as my mask – nothing too much behind it. Just celebrating small victories."

Hosein would have been in contention for Player of the Match but Samson's unbeaten 54-ball 101 overshadowed his bowling. "Sanju and the top order did brilliantly. He knew if he stayed set, he could explode at the end. Kudos to him."

MI collapsed for 104 in 19 overs chasing 208. "Cricket is played on the day, not on paper. When you execute as we did, there's nothing surprising. It's about praising the bowling unit."