IPL 2019, Match 1 highlights: Spinners help CSK hand RCB an 8-wicket defeat

Harbhajan Singh rocked top-order with a 3-wicket burst as Chennai Super Kings shot out Royal Challengers Bangalore for a paltry 70 in 17.1 overs

In the opening match of VIVO Indian Premier League 2019 (IPL 2019), Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. Chasing a below-par score of 71 runs, CSK lost opener Shane Watson early but never looked to control the game as Ambati Rayudu (28 off 42 runs) and Suresh Raina (19 off 21 balls) put 32 runs for the second wicket to consolidated their team position. 

IPL 2018, Match 1, CSK vs RCB full scorecard

 

Earlier, Harbhajan Singh rocked the top-order with a three-wicket burst as Chennai Super Kings bowled out Royal Challengers Bangalore for a paltry 70 in 17.1 overs in after winning the toss. On a slow Chepauk turner, the senior off-spinner opening the bowling, rolled back years with figures of 3/20 in his four-over spell that deflated Virat Kohli's men completely.

Once Harbhajan had wreaked havoc, Imran Tahir (3/9 in 3 overs) tormented RCB even more with his traditional leg-breaks to kill the contest in the first half. With so much assistance for spinners, Ravindra Jadeja wasn't going to be left behind, finishing with 2/15 in 4 overs. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's inspired move to open with Harbhajan paid brilliant dividends as he removed rival skipper Kohli (6) in the fourth over and RCB never recovered from that early blow.

Having gauged the pace of the pitch, Harbhajan altered the length of his deliveries effectively and also reduced the pace to trouble the batsmen.

While he was lucky as his off-break dropped short but Kohli's mistimed pull-shot was taken by Jadeja at mid-wicket boundary.

Moeen Ali slog swept Harbhajan for a six but that was all that he could manage with a length delivery stopping on him as he tried to check his drive and loopy return catch was gleefully accepted.

AB de Villiers (9) wanted to hit out of trouble and was first dropped by Imran Tahir and off the very next ball was caught by Jadeja at mid-wicket boundary. With Shimron Hetmyer (0) getting run-out needlessly, RCB were in the dumps even before halfway stage.

It was the perfect platform for Tahir and Jadeja, who looked unplayable with the pitch offering reasonable turn and the lower-order's confidence shot to pieces.

11:12 PM

11:03 PM

CSK beat RCB by 7 wickets

11:03 PM

Over 17.4

Shivam Dube, right-arm medium, comes into the attack and Kedar jadhav takes a single off the first ball. WIDE... DOT... DOT... ravindra Jadeja takes a single to win the match

11:00 PM

Over 17

Over Summary: MAIDEN; CSK: 68-3

Siraj continues after time-out and starts with two DOT deliveries. Jadeja guides the third ball to point, no run. Jadeja hits the 4th ball straight down the wicket, for no run. DOT.... DOT

10:54 PM

Timeout

10:53 PM

Over 16

Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 Wd 1 0; CSK: 68-3

Umesh Yadav [2.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack and Jadhav takes a single off the 1st ball. Jadeja fails to score off the second while takes  a single off the 3rd ball to third-man region. Kedar Jadhav guides the 4th ball to third-man for a single. WIDE.... Jadeja takes a single off the 5th ball. DOT to end the over. 

10:49 PM

Over 15

Over Summary: 1 W 0 2 1 1; CSK: 63-3

Mohammed Siraj, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack and Kedar Jadhav takes a single off the first ball. Rayudu chops the second ball to stumps. Rayudu b Siraj 28(42) [4s-2 6s-1]. Ravindra Jadeja, left handed bat, comes to the crease and he leaves the 3rd ball outside off. Jadeja takes a couple of runs off the 4th ball to deep extra cover region follows by a single. Jadhav takes a single off the last ball. 

10:43 PM

Over 14

Over Summary: 0 Wd 0 1 2 2 0; CSK: 58-2

Navdeep Saini continues and concedes 6 runs

10:38 PM

Over 13

Over Summary: 0 1 0 0 0 0; CSK: 52-2

Yuzvendra Chahal [3.0-1-5-1] is back into the attack and Kedar jadhav defends the first and takes a single off the 2nd ball. Rayudu defends, defends and defends before leaving the last ball to the keeper. 

10:34 PM

Over 12

Over Summary: 0 0 0 0 4 0; CSK: 51-2

Navdeep Saini [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack and Rayudu fails to score off the first two balls. A bumper from Saini follows by another short delivery and Rayudu plays it to short mid-wicket for no run. Rayudu punches the 5th ball on the up for FOUR to cover boundary. DOT to end the over. 

10:31 PM

Over 11

Over Summary: 0 1 0 0 0 4; CSK: 47-2

Umesh Yadav continues and Rayudu takes a single off the second ball. Kedar Jadhav fails to score off the next 3 deliveries but pulls the last ball off the over for FOUR to deep mid-wicket boundary. 

10:25 PM

Over 10

Over Summary: 4 W 0 2 0 0; CSK: 42-2

Moeen Ali continues after strategic timeout and Raina welcomes him with a super cut shot for FOUR while gets OUT while trying to a get a maximum off the 2nd ball to find Shivam Dube at long-on boundary. Raina c Shivam Dube b Moeen Ali 19(21) [4s-3]. Kedar Jadhav, right handed bat, comes to the crease and nearly chops the 3rd ball onto stumps and works away the 4th ball to square leg for a couple of runs. A RUNOUT chance missed as Jadhav go for a single while looking at ball as Rayudu says no. SOT to end the over. 

10:19 PM

TIMEOUT

10:17 PM

Over 9; Raina completes 5000 IPL runs

Over Summary: 0 1 0 1 1 0; CSK: 36-1

Umesh Yadav, right-arm fast, comes into the attack and Raina tucks it to square leg for no run follows by a single to third-man. Rayudu defends the 3rd ball while takes a single off the 4th to fine leg. Raina Guides the 5th ball to deep fine leg to take his 5000th IPL runs. 

10:13 PM

Over 8

Over Summary: 1 4 4 0 0 1; CSK: 33-1

Moeen Ali continues and Rayudu punches the first ball to long-off for a single. Raina dance down the pitch and hits the second ball over bowler's head for one bounce FOUR and slog sweeps the next for FOUR cow corner boundary. DOT... A single off the last ball for Raina.