IPL 2020 Match 1: Faf du Plessis and Rayudu takes CSK to a win over MI
Thanks to superb knocks by Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu,
Chennai Super Kings started the 2020 IPL on a winning note defeating defending
Champions Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
on Saturday.
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss and
decided to field first. Rohit Sharma started off the innings with a lovely
boundary off Deepak Chahar. Quinton de Kock looked in cracking form with
positive stroke play putting pressure on CSK bowlers. Lungi Ngidi was bought
into the attack but could not stop Quinton de Kock from hitting boundaries.
Piyush Chawla struck with his first over as Rohit Sharma
tried to hit a shot and went into the hands of Sam Curran's hands at mid-off.
Mumbai Indians openers added 46 runs in 4.4 overs. In the next over, Sam Curran
dismissed de Kock for a quickfire 33 off 20 balls with an easy catch to Shane
Watson at midwicket. At the end of the first six overs, Mumbai Indians scored 51
for 2.
Saurabh Tiwari and Surya Kumar Yadav played with intent
keeping the scoreboard ticking. After the first strategic timeout, Surya Kumar
tried to hit a big shot but was caught by Sam Curran at long. Saurabh and Surya
added 44 runs for the 3rd wicket. Lungi Ngidi could not control his
line and length in his 2nd over. Hardik Pandya's first 2 scoring shots
were sixes putting pressure on CSK bowlers.
Two sensational catches at the boundary by Faf du Plessis
ended Saurabh Tiwari and Hardik Pandya. Chennai Super Kings bowlers made a
strong comeback in the death overs by picking wickets at regular intervals.
Lungi Ngidi dismissed Krunal Pandya with down leg tickle while got rid of
Kieron Pollard with a simple catch to Dhoni. Piyush Chawla bowled a great spell
giving away just 21 runs. Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 38 while
Jadeja and Chahar took 2 wickets each.
From 121 for 3 in 14 overs, Mumbai Indians lost wickets at
regular intervals and posted just 162 for 9 in allotted 20.
Chasing 163 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for CSK
as they lost an early wicket of Shane Watson in the first over itself by Trent
Boult. Murali Vijay coming at number 3 did not review the LBW decision from
James Pattinson that was going down leg. Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis
struggled initially before putting pressure on Mumbai Indians bowlers. At the
end of six overs, CSK scored 37 for 2.
After the first timeout by Chennai Super Kings, Rayudu
looked in aggressive touch right from word go while Faf du Plessis also put the
Mumbai Indians bowlers under pressure. Rayudu completed his half-century off 33
balls and made sure that CSK is on course for a win. MI star bowler Jasprit
Bumrah could not make an impact as there was dew.
Rahul Chahar took a wonderful catch running back to end
a brilliant 115 runs stand for the 3rd wicket. Ravindra Jadeja showed
his class with a quickfire 10 off 5 balls. Krunal Pandya struck to dismiss
Jadeja. Sam Curran coming ahead of Dhoni smacked cameo making 18 from 5
deliveries.
Sam Curran was brilliantly caught by James Pattison running
backward from Bumrah bowling. Du Plessis remained calm reaching his fifty off
42 balls. MS Dhoni decided to review given out by the umpire and it was
overturned. Faf hit the winning runs to help CSK win the match by 5 wickets
with 4 balls to spare.
Chennai Super Kings 166 for 5 in 19.2 overs ( Rayudu 71, du
Plessis 58*, James Pattinson 1/27, Boult 1/23) beat Mumbai Indians 162 for 9 in
20 overs ( Saurabh Tiwary 42, de Kock 33, Ngidi 3/38, Chawla 1/21) by 5
wickets.
For his 71 off 48 balls, Ambati Rayudu was named the man of the match award. Delhi Capitals will take on Kings XI Punjab in the 2nd
match tomorrow in Dubai.
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