NEW DELHI: Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman claimed four wickets as the reigning champions Chennai Super Kings kicked off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign on a high note. The five-time titleholders secured a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
This triumph marked the maiden win for CSK's newly appointed captain Ruturaj Gaikwad who was entrusted with the significant role by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni just a day prior to the opening match of the season.
Following the game, Shivam Dube, who contributed an unbeaten 34 off 28 balls to CSK's victory, shared his thoughts on playing under the leadership of the new CSK captain, Gaikwad.
1/10:Chennai Super Kings down Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 opener
IANS
2/10:Mustafizur's brilliance
Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 4-29 to set up a six-wicket win for defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.PTI
3/10:Shivam Dube & Ravindra Jadeja's stand
Hosts CSK restricted Bengaluru to 173/6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Shivam Dube, who hit 34, and Ravindra Jadeja, who made 25, put on an unbeaten stand of 66 to steer the team home.PTI
4/10:IPL opening ceremony
The 17th edition of the lucrative league began with a glitzy ceremony, with performances by Bollywood stars including India's Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.AFP
5/10:Dhoni's captaincy handover
<p>Old warhorse MS Dhoni had shocked his fans on the eve of the opener when he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who said he got to know of the decision last week.</p>PTI
6/10:Man of the Match: Mustafizur
Mustafizur had Du Plessis caught out for 35 and RCB slipped from 41-0 to 42-3 in the space of seven balls when Glenn Maxwell was out for a first-ball duck off Deepak Chahar. Mustafizur was named man of the match.AP
7/10:Virat Kohli's return
Virat Kohli returned to competitive cricket after two months following a paternity break. He made 21 off 20 balls including a six off spinner Maheesh Theekshana before his departure in another inspired spell by Mustafizur.AP
8/10:Chennai's batting display
CSK's batsmen including IPL debutant Ravindra, who hit a 15-ball 37, got starts but lost regular wickets. Dube, who came in as impact substitute in place of Mustafizur, and Jadeja ensured the team sailed through.ANI
9/10:Green's bowling impact
Green struck with two key wickets including Rahane (27) and Daryl Mitchell (22) with his fast-medium bowling but Jadeja kept the chase going.PTI
10/10:Rawat & Karthik's partnership
For RCB, Anuj Rawat, a wicketkeeper-batsman who hit 48, and Dinesh Karthik, 38 not out, steadied the ship and then took the attack to the opposition in their partnership of 95 in 50 balls.PTI“I found out two days ago and I was shocked. I think he’s handed it to the perfect person. Ruturaj is quite like Dhoni, very cool and calm," Dube said.
It’s really fun because I have played under him before. I know what kind of a captain he is, how he behaves, and what he expects from me," Dube told JioCinema.
Newly-appointed skipper Gaikwad said he did not feel any pressure while leading the team.
"I've always enjoyed it (captaincy), never felt it as an additional pressure. I had experience on how to handle it, never felt any pressure, and obviously had Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai as well. I think everyone in our squad is a natural stroke player, I think even Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) is playing really positively. Everyone knows their roles and which bowlers to take on. Role clarity really helps. Two-three things to work on, everyone batted well but I think if someone from the top 3 batted till the 15th over it would've been even easier," Gaikwad said in a post-match presentation.
