Chennai: Firstly skipper Harbhanjan Singh marshalled his resources well to restrict Chennai Super Kings to 112 and then Richard Levi played a hurricane of innings, smashing 50 off 35 balls to give Mumbai Indians an easy eight-wicket win against CSK in the inaugural match of Indian Premier League played at MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 113 to win, Mumbai started their run chase with Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Richard Levi and raced to fifty in just six overs. Though Levi started off on a slow note, scoring run a ball till his 11th run, the South African import changed gear soon and scored a quick fire 50 in just 35 balls on his IPL debut. His knock in the process nearly snatched the match away from Super Kings who otherwise would have given themselves at least some hopes of winning the contest, had they taken a few early Mumbai Indians wickets.
Though Rohit Sharma departed without opening his account and Sachin Tendulkar (16) was retired hurt off a nasty delivery from Bolinger, the visitors were never in trouble. They reached the target in 16.5 overs with eight wickets to spare.
Earlier luck favoured Mumbai Indians when Harbhajan Singh called it right with the coin and invited CSK to bat first. Mumbai Indians got an early breakthrough, courtesy Ambati Rayudu who ran out F du Plessis on the very first over of the match with the scoreboard reading just four.
Thereafter, the hosts never seemed to get back the rhythm as Mumbai Indians kept it tight on their part and managed to restrict the runs that would always going to make it difficult for Dhoni and his men in the second half of the game. The visitors also kept on making enormous dent on the Chennai batting line and that also at strategic points. The worst came in the form of Captain Cool Dhoni who found himself short of the crease in the 16th over with Chennai still struggling at 95.
Earlier Suresh Raina did try to resurrect the Chennai innings with Murali Vijay but the partnership did not last long as Vijay who was edgy throughout his stay on the crease, gave a catch to rival skipper Harbhajan off Franklin. Shortly later Raina and Bravo followed within a span of nine balls and Chennai was reeling under pressure at 80 for four. And with the departure of Dhoni things were never going to be easy for the hosts.
Mumbai Indians on their part kept on putting pressure through some tight bowling and fielding and the result followed as Badrinath, Ashwin and Jadeja were back into the pavilion within a span of 12 balls adding just five runs in those two overs.
Chennai Super Kings were finally bowled out for 112.
By Indian Sports News
