The much-awaited IPL 2020 finally got underway with Mumbai Indians (MI) taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener on Saturday (September 19).

Asked to bat first, the defending champions posted 162/9 in 20 overs on the back of Saurabh Tiwary’s 31-ball 42 and Quinton de Kock’s 20-ball 33.

All the CSK bowlers did well with the ball. While Lungi Ngidi claimed three wickets by conceding 38 runs in his four overs, Deepak Chahar (2-32) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-42) picked up two scalps each. Piyush Chawla (1-21) and Sam Curran (1-28) were economical and took wicket apiece.

In the chase, CSK lost both their openers – Shane Watson (4) and Murali Vijay (1) – cheaply. But the pair of Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu brought the team back in the contest by adding 115 runs for the third wicket. In particular, Rayudu smashed the MI bowlers to all parts as he scored 71 runs off 48 balls (6 fours and 3 sixes) before Rahul Chahar dismissed him.

Rayudu’s wicket led to Jadeja’s arrival at the crease and the latter made 10 runs off 5 balls before Krunal trapped him in front of the wicket. Subsequently, Sam Curran came to the crease and smashed 18 off 6 balls to put CSK on the brink of victory. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the England-all-rounder in the penultimate over.

Meanwhile, Du Plessis (58* off 44 balls) held the one end firmly and took the Super Kings over the line alongside skipper MS Dhoni (0*) with four balls to spare and five wickets in hand.

Cricket experts on Twitter were mighty impressed with CSK’s run chase against the defending champions.

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