Champions for the fifth time last season, Chennai Super Kings made a rousing start to the defence of their title with a comprehensive, six-wicket victory against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at their beloved MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
The shock of seeing MS Dhoni hand over the captaincy reigns to Ruturaj Gaikwad just a couple of days before the tournament started was quickly forgotten when RCB slumped to 42 for three after captain Faf du Plessis (35) had led them to 41 for no loss with Bangladeshi left-armer Mustafizur Rahman to the fore with 4-29.
For his superb bowling display of 4⃣/2⃣9⃣, Mustafizur Rahman bagged the Player of the Match award as @ChennaiIPL won the #TATAIPL 2024 opener 👏 👏
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2024
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/4j6FaLF15Y #CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/XIqaEuAM5G
Replying to a total of 173 for six, the men in yellow were given a flying start by Kiwi opener Rachin Ravindra whose 37 came from just 15 balls but at 110 for four there was work to be done – and it was, by Shivam Dube (34*) and Ravindra Jadeja (25*) who completed victory with a comfortable eight balls to spare.
DELHI CAPITALS V PUNJAB KINGS
The return to action of Rishabh Pant almost 18 months after a career-threatening car accident was the major focus of attention in the second match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on Saturday afternoon but, although Pant kept wicket tidily and struck two boundaries in his 18 from 13 balls, it was an underwhelming performance from the Capitals who went down by four wickets.
Look who's ready to unfold magic again 😎
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2024
Captain @RishabhPant17 is set to lead from the front for @DelhiCapitals 💪#TATAIPL | #PBKSvDC pic.twitter.com/gJWEhq91Xz
Replying to 174 for nine Punjab were also in a spot of bother at 100 for four before Englishmen Sam Curran (63) and Liam Livingstone (38*) helped clinch the win with four balls to spare.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS V SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
A brutal, late assault of 64* from 25 balls by Andre Russell (3x4,7x6) helped the Kolkata Knight Riders post a formidable 208 for seven having been 51 for four, but they were given a massive scare by Heinrich Klaasen who smashed eight sixes in his 63 from just 29 balls before prevailing by a mere four runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on Saturday night.
The Punch.ev Electric Striker of the Match between Kolkata Knight Riders & Sunrisers Hyderabad goes to Andre Russell. #TATAIPL | @Tataev | #PunchevElectricStriker | #BeyondEveryday | #KKRvSRH pic.twitter.com/EKUCwOlb0Q
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2024
RAJASTHAN ROYALS V LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson was in sublime form in Sunday’s early game with an unbeaten 82 from 52 balls (3x4, 6x6) to lead his team to an imposing 193 for four and a comfortable 20-run victory against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Naveen ul haq breaks the 93 run stand☝️
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 24, 2024
Sanju Samson going strong from one end 💪
What target will #RR look from here? 🤔
Follow the match ▶️https://t.co/MBxM7IvOM8#TATAIPL | #RRvLSG pic.twitter.com/C8OmtVTHvK
Quinton de Kock’s return to the top of the order for LSG ended prematurely when he flicked a legside delivery from Trent Boult into the hands of Western Province fast bowler Nandre Burger at long leg who impressed on his ‘super sub’ debut for the Royals with 1-30 from three hostile overs.
GUJARAT TITANS V MUMBAI INDIANS
The final match of the first week saw the Gujarat Titans prevail against the Mumbai Indians by six runs in a contest which changed direction repeatedly and occasionally dramatically, particularly in the closing stages at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat posted a modest 168 for eight with David Miller managing just 12 from 11 balls and Jasprit Bumrah claiming a brilliant 3-14 from his four overs.
Mumbai required 27 from the final 13 balls with six wickets in hand and big-hitting Tim David ready to strike, but slumped to 162 for nine.
Dewald Brevis top-scored for MI with a controlled 46 from 38 balls with two fours and three sixes.
The opening game of Week 2 will see RCB take on the Punjab Kings in Bengaluru on Monday.