Mumbai put in performance befitting champions as they opened their account in the 5th edition of the IPL with a clinical win. Inspired by a terrific bowling performance that saw the power-packed Chennai batting line up fold for a paltry 112, the batsmen, led by Richard Levi, slammed home the required runs in less than 17 overs to get their season underway in terrific style.
Sachin Tendulkar and Levi ensured the Mumbai side were not made to endure any early setbacks as they mixed caution with aggression perfectly to set things rolling. Levi showed glimpses of why he was so highly rated as he slammed huge sixes to flatten the CSK bowlers. The start meant that even when the Mumbai side lost 3 players in quick succession the task at hand was fairly simple leaving James Franklin and Ambati Rayudu to knock off the runs with ease.
Earlier, an all-round bowling and fielding performance by the Champions League winners saw them bowl out the defending IPL Champions for a low score. Suresh Raina was the only batsman to cross the 20 run mark but he too fell when the team would've expected him to carry on.
Faf du Plessis' IPL debut didn't even see the end of the first over as he was run out by Ambati Rayudu. Murali Vijay struggled to find the middle of his bat and was soon trotting back to the pavilion. Dwayne Bravo and Raina gave the innings some direction but Pragyan Ojha accounted for both in consecutive overs to leave CSK in trouble.
Kieron Pollard too got into the act as he had Albie Morkel and S Badrinath fall in quick succession and suddenly Chennai looked in deep trouble. The wickets had pumped up Harbhajan's side and the energy in the middle was clear to see. The players were keen to get to the ball early and that resulted in the run outs of MS Dhoni and R Ashwin. The rest was just a formality as Mumbai wiped out the tail within the stipulated 20 overs for just 112.
Chasing a sub par total was not that much of a hard task once Sachin and Levi had put on in excess of 65 in the 8th over. Levi was beginning to unleash his full repertoire of shots on the hapless CSK attack but had to make his way back soon after he got to his fifty. Rohit Sharma lasted only 3 balls while Sachin too made his way back after injuring his finger but the wickets had barely any impact on the final result. Franklin and Rayudu had ample time with them as they guided their team to an easy win to get their tournament underway in brilliant fashion.
Scoreboard:
Chennai Super Kings : 112/10 in 19.5 ovs
Mumbai Indians : 115/2 in 16.5 ovs
Richard Levi 50
Man of the Match : Richard Levi
Sachin Tendulkar and Levi ensured the Mumbai side were not made to endure any early setbacks as they mixed caution with aggression perfectly to set things rolling. Levi showed glimpses of why he was so highly rated as he slammed huge sixes to flatten the CSK bowlers. The start meant that even when the Mumbai side lost 3 players in quick succession the task at hand was fairly simple leaving James Franklin and Ambati Rayudu to knock off the runs with ease.Earlier, an all-round bowling and fielding performance by the Champions League winners saw them bowl out the defending IPL Champions for a low score. Suresh Raina was the only batsman to cross the 20 run mark but he too fell when the team would've expected him to carry on.
Faf du Plessis' IPL debut didn't even see the end of the first over as he was run out by Ambati Rayudu. Murali Vijay struggled to find the middle of his bat and was soon trotting back to the pavilion. Dwayne Bravo and Raina gave the innings some direction but Pragyan Ojha accounted for both in consecutive overs to leave CSK in trouble.
Kieron Pollard too got into the act as he had Albie Morkel and S Badrinath fall in quick succession and suddenly Chennai looked in deep trouble. The wickets had pumped up Harbhajan's side and the energy in the middle was clear to see. The players were keen to get to the ball early and that resulted in the run outs of MS Dhoni and R Ashwin. The rest was just a formality as Mumbai wiped out the tail within the stipulated 20 overs for just 112.
Chasing a sub par total was not that much of a hard task once Sachin and Levi had put on in excess of 65 in the 8th over. Levi was beginning to unleash his full repertoire of shots on the hapless CSK attack but had to make his way back soon after he got to his fifty. Rohit Sharma lasted only 3 balls while Sachin too made his way back after injuring his finger but the wickets had barely any impact on the final result. Franklin and Rayudu had ample time with them as they guided their team to an easy win to get their tournament underway in brilliant fashion.
Scoreboard:
Chennai Super Kings : 112/10 in 19.5 ovs
Mumbai Indians : 115/2 in 16.5 ovs
Richard Levi 50
Man of the Match : Richard Levi
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