IPL 2010, Match 1: Rayudu, Faf guide CSK past MI in opener

IPL 2020, Match 1, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings - Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets

Saturday, Sep 19, 2020, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Having opted to bat first, Defending champions Mumbai Indians were off to a good start, scoring over 40 runs in the first 4 overs. And then they lost both the openers in the space of 3 deliveries which helped CSK take the driver’s seat. MI’s all rounder trio of Hardik, Krunal and Pollard too failed as they collectively scored just 37 runs off 27 deliveries.

Saurabh Tiwary with 42 runs and Quinton de Kock with 33 are the best scorers in Mumbai’s 162/9 in 20 overs. Despite conceding 18 runs off his first over, CSK’s pacer Lungi Ngidi finished with 3/38 in his quota of 4 overs. Piyush Chawla with figures of 1/21 is the pick of CSK’s bowlers.

Chasing a good target of 163, Chennai lost both their openers for just 6 runs on the board in 2 overs. Then, Rayudu (71 off 48) and Faf du Plessis (58* off 44) shared a 115-run stand off 84 balls for the third wicket to take them close to victory. Though Rayudu departed in the 16th over, Faf remained unbeaten to take them to victory in the season opener.

MI players congratulate Faf and Dhoni after the victory. Image Credits: Times of India

Rayudu has been adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his crucial knock with the bat in this 5-wkt victory. As per the schedule, Chennai Super Kings will play their next game on Tuesday (Sep 22) against Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah. Mumbai Indians are scheduled to play their next game against much stronger Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday (Sep 23) in Abu Dhabi.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings - (Ambati Rayudu - 71, Faf du Plessis - 58*, Trent Boult - 1/23, James Pattinson - 1/27) defeated Mumbai Indians - (Saurabh Tiwary - 42, Quinton de Kock - 33, Lungi Ngidi - 3/38, Deepak Chahar - 2/32) by a margin of 5 wickets