Finally the IPL 2018 season went underway in Mumbai on April 7. The IPL was kicked off by performances by Bollywood celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Tamannah and Mika Singh.
Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mayank Markande, Evin Lewis and Mark Wood made their IPL debuts in the match.
The start was not so good for the MI fans as Rohit (15) and Lewis (0) struggled against the pace and swing of Deepak Chahar and Shane Watson. Lewis became the first player to ask for DRS in IPL, though it was unsuccessful. It was the 68 run partnership between Ishan Kishan (40 off 29 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (43 off 29 balls) that put Mumbai innings on track, as they took apart Tahir and Bravo.
Then came the Pandya brothers, Hardik (22*) and Krunal (41* off 22 balls), at the crease, who smashed CSK bowling to all parts of the ground to take Mumbai to a respectable 165/4.
Twitterverse was amazed by the recovery by the Mumbai Indians despite the best efforts of MS Dhoni. They showed their appreciation on Twitter and we have some chosen tweets for you.
Check them out:
CSK spinners bowled too fast in the air. But that must not take anything away from Suryakumar and Ishan. आज रात को सूर्य चमका मुंबई में ???????????? #AakashVani #MIvsCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2018
Wonder if the dew is kind of setting in. Tahir wasn’t able to get his length for sure. #MIvCSK #VIVOIPL2018 #MIvsCSK
— RK (@RK_sports) April 7, 2018
Brave Krunal Pandya takes heavy toll of Wood, puts brother Hardik in the shade, gives Mumbai defendable total. Match on!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 7, 2018
a complete innings with dhoni incharge and not one kedar over- tchaah #MIvCSK
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 7, 2018
Scored ???? at Wankhede just a couple of weeks ago. H Singh just one of those feeling the wrath of Kishan’s bat. Both players Yadav/Kishan looking pretty confident In game 1 @mipaltan @IPL #MIvCSK
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 7, 2018
This is some innings from Krunal Pandya! Front foot and, especially, back foot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
The reason behind me backing @surya_14kumar is his recent track record in #mumbaipremiereleague/ local games and as a captain he led his team to victory in the championship at the very same venue. Let’s not take the credit away from in form #ishankishan. #MIvCSK
— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 7, 2018
Good to see some swing at the start of #ipl2018 wickets in hand going to be key for Mumbai Indians to put up a good score
— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) April 7, 2018
#MI historically slow starters in the tournament , time for #CSK to capitalise...#IPL2018 #MIvCSK #BESTvsBEST #BadriBytes
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 7, 2018